ASEAN-India Artist Camp Concludes in Shillong, Celebrating Cultural Unity Through Ramayana

Shillong: The third edition of the ASEAN-India Artist Camp, organized to foster cultural exchange between India and ASEAN member countries, concluded on Monday in Shillong. The week-long art camp, themed "Echoes of Ramayana: Artistic Journeys in ASEAN and India," served as a vibrant platform for collaboration between artists from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Jointly organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and cultural organization Seher, the camp was inaugurated on March 29 in New Delhi and ran from April 1 to 7 in Shillong. The initiative is part of India's ongoing commitment to cultural diplomacy and was particularly significant as it marked 10 years of India’s Act East Policy. The year 2025 has also been designated as the ASEAN-India Tourism Year, further highlighting the region’s shared cultural heritage.

A total of 21 visual artists from ASEAN countries, Timor-Leste, and India participated in the camp. Their works were inspired by the timeless narrative of the Ramayana, interpreted through the lens of their respective cultures. The artists also engaged in a wide range of activities including live painting sessions, lectures, public exhibitions, workshops, and interactive discussions with local artists and students.

The MEA, in a statement, emphasized that the camp underlined the importance of connecting people through art, especially when rooted in shared epics like the Ramayana. These shared narratives serve as cultural bridges that transcend borders and foster a deeper understanding between nations.

The artworks created during the camp were put on public display in Shillong and will next travel to New Delhi and Malaysia for broader international exposure. This traveling exhibition aims to continue strengthening ties and encouraging artistic diplomacy beyond national boundaries.

At the closing ceremony, Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita praised the participating artists for their creativity and efforts. He highlighted the shared values and aspirations of India and ASEAN, calling the camp a shining example of cultural convergence. “Art has the power to unite people,” he remarked. “Through this initiative, we are not only nurturing artistic expression but also laying the foundation for stronger regional ties.”

He further noted that such artistic collaborations are vital to strengthening India-ASEAN relations and are essential in building people-to-people connect, which is central to India’s vision for the Indo-Pacific region.

With the conclusion of the camp, participants return home with fresh inspiration, and the bonds formed through artistic expression promise a lasting impact on regional unity and cooperation.

The ASEAN-India Artist Camp is expected to return in an expanded format next year, further deepening the cultural partnership between India and Southeast Asia.

Report By Saswat Tiwari