The 4th India–Africa Forum Summit–2026: International Artists Explore Assam Through Painting Campaign

Guwahati,23 May: North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), in collaboration with Lalit Kala Akademi, under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, organised a series of Painting Campaign Activities in Assam from 20–24 May  as part of the 4th India–Africa Forum Summit

According to the released Press Release, the nationwide initiative brought together participation from 54 African countries, with nearly 40 distinguished visual artists from across Africa visiting prominent cultural locations of India including New Delhi, Udaipur, Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, Nagpur and Guwahati under the theme “India through the Lens of Africa.” Guwahati was selected as one of the major venues in the North East region, with NEZCC functioning as the nodal agency for the programme in the region.

As part of the Guwahati chapter of the Art Camp, international reputed artists including Mr.Ashley Munsamy (South Africa), Ms.Amel Benmohamed (Algeria), Mr. Salaheddine Bouanani (Morocco) and Ms. Wanja Githua (Kenya) participated in various painting and cultural activities organised in Guwahati and nearby heritage and eco-cultural locations.

On 21 May , a major Painting Campaign was organised at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. The programme commenced with a Jeep Safari and exposure visit inside the sanctuary where the delegates explored Assam’s rich biodiversity, including the famous One-Horned Rhinoceros, elephants, wild boars and wild buffaloes.

Following the safari, a live outdoor painting session was organised at Maibong Resort, Pobitora, where the artists created artworks inspired by India’s wildlife, culture and natural beauty from African perspectives.

 The Art Camp activities were coordinated by nationally recognised artist Kukima Kakati & Liaison Officer Shri Deepak Kumar.

An interaction session with local media persons, forest officials and wildlife workers was also organised to highlight wildlife conservation, eco-cultural awareness and the role of art in promoting environmental consciousness.

The programme team was led by Dr. Gayatri Mathur, Team Leader from Lalit Kala Akademi, along and Shri Naba Kumar Bharali, Programme Executive, NEZCC as Programme Coordinator, under the supervision of Deputy Director of NEZCC, Shri Oliver T. Pongen, who is Nodal Officer for the Camp.

Ms. Priyanka Gogoi, Circle Officer and representative of the District Administration, Morigaon, attended the programme and welcomed the delegates and artists. Ujjal Choudhury, Forest Ranger, Pobitara, also participated in the interaction session and shared insights regarding wildlife conservation initiatives at Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

On 23 May, artists also visited Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra where they explored the cultural heritage and traditions of Assam. A felicitation and certificate distribution programme was organised for the delegates. 

The artists also visited the Shilpgram complex under NEZCC.

The delegates were welcomed and felicitated by Shri Ashim Debnath, Assistant Director, NEZCC, on behalf of  Kalakshetra Secretary , Shri Sudarshan Thakur, felicated them. The programme successfully promoted cultural exchange, artistic collaboration and stronger people-to-people connections between India and African nations through art and heritage.The Painting Camp of the country was supervised by Himanshu Dabral, who served as the Nodal Officer of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, representing Lalit Kala Akademi.