Mahsu Art Society Shimla (MASS), a registered non-profit arts organisation based in Himachal Pradesh, is organising the BRAN International Art Workshop, a five-day residential art programme to be held from 9 to 13 January 2026 at Brani Kutumb, Manali, Himachal Pradesh. The workshop will be inaugurated on 9 January 2026 at 5:30 pm by the Chief Guest Shri Bhuwaneshwar Gaur, Hon’ble MLA, Manali Assembly Constituency.

Formally registered in 2018, Mahsu Art Society Shimla (MASS) emerged in response to the limited cultural infrastructure outside major urban centres, particularly the lack of sustained platforms for emerging artists and vulnerable artistic and cultural practices in the Himalayan region. The organisation works with a strong ethical commitment, emphasising institutional responsibility, long-term engagement, and public accessibility.

Over the years, MASS has organised nearly twenty-seven solo and group art exhibitions across Shimla, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Jaipur, and other regions of India. In addition, the organisation has conducted six intensive art workshops integrating education, dialogue, and public participation. These initiatives have shaped MASS’s vision of building meaningful and inclusive cultural platforms.

The BRAN International Art Workshop is supported by the International Roerich Memorial Trust (IRMT), Kullu, Brani Kutumb, Manali, and New Smile Dental Clinic, Manali, with Radio Naggar as the media partner.

The workshop brings together 39 artists from India and Nepal, offering a broad platform for contemporary artistic exchange. Of the participating artists, 26 are women, reflecting MASS’s commitment to inclusive cultural practice across regions, generations, and social backgrounds.

The programme primarily focuses on painting, while also engaging with Himachali folk music, traditional cuisine, and regional art traditions. Alongside the resident artists, students from nearby schools and colleges, local community members, educators, and cultural practitioners will participate through open sessions, public talks, and interactive programmes, strengthening art awareness and community-based education.

A key objective of MASS is to create long-term platforms for underrepresented and emerging artists who often remain outside institutional visibility, particularly in geographically remote regions. The organisation actively encourages dialogue between established and eminent artists and emerging practitioners, fostering mentorship, shared learning, and sustained artistic growth.

MASS also places strong emphasis on safeguarding regional cultural heritage, highlighting how traditional cultural practices have historically been rooted in sustainability, ecological balance, and collective living. These concerns are explored through dialogue-based programmes that connect artistic practice with cultural knowledge and lived experience.

As part of its social outreach initiatives, a Free Dental Check-up Camp will be organised during the workshop on 10 January 2026, from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm, with the support of New Smile Dental Clinic, Manali.

The workshop will conclude on 13 January 2026 at 2:00 pm with a visit by the Chief Guest Ms. Torul S. Ravish (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, who will view and formally close the exhibition of artworks created during the workshop.

On this occasion, the Dhanku Kala Shri Samman 2026 will be conferred upon Dr. Dev Kanya Thakur, eminent author and filmmaker from Manali, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to documenting and interpreting Himachali culture. The award honours the memory of Late Shri Dhanku Ram, a dedicated stone sculptor and the late father of Dr. Bhader Singh, Founder of Mahsu Art Society Shimla. Since 2018, the award has been conferred annually upon eight distinguished artists, recognising artistic excellence, cultural commitment, and lifelong dedication to the arts.

Additionally, two participating artists will receive the Kala Devi Award 2026 for outstanding works created during the workshop. The award commemorates Late Smt. Kala Devi, wife of Shri Tara Chand Brani and mother of Dr. Chander Kant Brani and Yamuna Brani, founders of Brani Kutumb, acknowledging her legacy and Brani Kutumb’s continued support for art and culture.