Images from Key, Tabo & Dhanker Monestery
'Raja Ghepan' International Art Residency Raja Ghepan is anInternational art residency administered by a not- for- proďŹ t Artist Studio Trust. It conducts 2 and 8 week summer residency program for emerging and established artists. The residency is located in Keylong, Himachal Pradesh, near the Indo-Tibet border. It is nature's wonder,an unspoiled peaceful landscape of hills, forests, lakes and isolated, sparsely populated villages. Industrial pollution has not touched Keylong. Keylong has been a key post, for centuries on Indian border exchange route with 2
adjoining Tibetan areas. Keylong is the biggest and historically most important city of Lahaul and Spiti area of Himachal Pradesh. Before the spread of Tibetan Buddhism and Hinduism, the local people were adherents of Lung Pe Chhoi, an animistic religion that had some afďŹ nities with the BĂśn religion of Tibet. Raja Ghepan, one of the major deities. It is now widely worshiped by almost all residents of Lahaul. It is one of the most multi-ethnic and multicultural relegion of the region. Residency participants can witness theBuddhist Culture which spread from India, and later returned to India along with Tibetan culture. The area abounds with ancient Buddhist monasteries (gompa) and temples. The residents will have plentiful opportunities to interact with local people, establish an artistic connection to the broader community and their creativity, observe traditional weaving, and study their way of life. Residency participants can aiso visit another famous gompa at Kardang, located at an elevation of 3,500 meters, across the river from Keylong. Kardang is connected via Tandi bridge which is about 14 km from Keylong. This gompa was built in the 12th century houses a large library of Buddhist literature including the main Kangyur and Tangyur scriptures. Other sites to visit : Spiti is one of the important centers of Buddhism in Himachal Pradesh. It is popularly known as the 'land of lamas'. The valley is dotted with numerous gompas that are famous throughout the world. Kye : One of the main learning centers of Buddhist studies, is the oldest and the biggest gompa in Spiti. About 100 monks live and study here. It houses rare scriptures and beautiful paintings of the Buddha and other gods and goddess. One may also see rare 'Thangka' paintings and ancient musical instruments - trumpets, cymbals and drums in this gompa. Kye is a favorite of the Dalai Lama. Tabo : Tabo gompa is often referred to as the 'Ajanta of the Himalayas'. The 10th century gompa was founded by the great scholar, Richen Zangpo. The monastery houses more than 60 lamas, and contains a rare collection of scriptures, pieces of art, wall paintings and Thangkas and Stucco. Tabo gompa has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Facilities : Residency will provide four private bedrooms in a shared housing facility, a shared art studio, and free Wi-Fi. There are no cooking facilities in the participants living quarters. All meals are provided by the residency. There is no wheel chair access. Transportation provided: From Bhuntar airport ( Kullu) to the residency; From Manali bus stand to the residency. Art Residency invitee will be required to take care of: 3
Nickolas Roerich studio : 1936 - 1939 at Keylong, HP. Photo : Pallavi Singh 4
Insurance of any kind, travel expenses from their home town/ place of residence to the pickup destination. All types of artists' materials required by invited participant has to be brought along with him.(Keylong being an isolated place, finding artists' material is difficult). However, an arrangement to provide them may be possible with sufficient advance notice. The resident will have to bear the cost of such materials and other miscellaneous expenses. Open Studio: Open Studio is usually scheduled for the end of the term which allows the artists to showcase their ideas or works to friends, fellow residents and public. Application Information: Ÿ The following information is required along with the application in a single PDF: Ÿ
Ÿ Digitally scanned passport size photograph Ÿ
Ÿ Digitally scanned copy of passport and visa for International invited participant. Ÿ
Ÿ A current CV or resume Ÿ
Ÿ Statement of Intent Ÿ
Ÿ Contact info for two professional references (a letter of recommendation is not
required). Work samples: Ÿ For Artist: 10 images of works of art with their web links. The title of the work of Art
should include the date / yearit was executed, its dimensions and its media. The description sheet of each workof Art should also be provided. Ÿ Ÿ For Writers: Not more than 10 pages (as a DOC or PDF file) of poems; excerpts
from short stories, novels, plays, or film scripts; or three essays. Include your name, title of work, date executed, and publisher (if any). Ÿ
For Researchers: Not more than 10 pages (as a DOC or PDF file) of research that
Ÿ reflects the current direction of inquiry, date executed, and publisher (if any).
Eligibility: The Art Residency is open to all visual artists, writers, curators, photographers, film- makers and researchers. 5
Art Exhibition at Tribal Festival - Keylong 14 Aug, - 16 Aug.2016.
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Please note: All non-Indian residents (except residents from Nepal and Bhutan) must hold a valid visa and passport for the duration of their visit/stay. You are required to send a scanned copy of your visa and passport prior to your arrival. At present we have place for 8 residents (4 international and 4 Indian) Application fee (not refundable): $ 20.00 Indian nationals: RS. 600. Current application deadline: May 15, 2017. Residency opens from June 15, 2017 to 15 October 15, 2017. Selected applicants will be informed through e-mail. Members of Art Organizations registered in the countries of origin, can avail concessions of residency fee on request. Photographs of applicants are must. Residents are encouraged to stay in the residency premises for minimum 2 to 3 weeks. Finance shouldn't deter artists from applying. Based on a combination of merit and financial need of young artists, the residency offers financial aid that covers up to 40% of the residency fees. Raja Ghepan' does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, national origin, religion, age, or sexual orientation. Frequently Asked Questions: Ÿ How do I apply for the residency program? Ÿ
Ÿ You may apply by submitting your application via email, along with relevant
documents. Ÿ
Ÿ How long can I can stay at the residency? Ÿ
Ÿ Depends on the duration of the project (minimum of 21 days to 5 months) &
availability of accommodation. Ÿ
Ÿ My project requires me to extend my stay. Ÿ
Ÿ Requests for extensions can be considered. Ÿ Ÿ Can my spouse/partner accompany me? Ÿ
Ÿ Yes. Ÿ
Ÿ Can my children/relatives accompany me? Ÿ
Ÿ No.
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Ÿ What is the cost of stay at the Residency? Ÿ
Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
US $ 800 per week which includes lodging facilities, meals, studio space and transportation from airport & bus stand only. All other costs will have to be borne by the applicant. Does residency provide air-fare and local transport?
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Ÿ No air fare/local transport is provided. Ÿ
Ÿ What are the health precautions one needs to take? Ÿ
Ÿ Drink only filtered water, and carry enough supply of medication specific to your
problem. Ÿ
Ÿ Does residency provide art- material? Ÿ
Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
No, residency does not provide any working material but if mentioned in advance, an arrangement can be made on payment by the artist. If an artist is working in some specialized material, residency advises to bring their own material.
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Ÿ Weather at Keylong? Ÿ
Ÿ Kindly check before packing your suitcase: Ÿ
Ÿ http://www.accuweather.com/en/in/keylong/198324/weather-forecast/198324 Ÿ
Mode of Payment: Raja Ghepan is Iternational art residency administered by a not- for- profit trust ‘ Artist Studio Trust ‘ Electronic Transfer: Bank Account Name: : ARTIST STUDIO TRUST Bank Account Number : 36790952167 IFS CODE : SBIN0001078 SWIFT Bank Name : State Bank of India Branch Name: Fort–G.K. Part-1 Bank Address: 16, Community Centre, Zamrudpur, New Delhi 110048.
Transfer Description: Please mention the name and the purpose of transfer.
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R to l in back row Sabia, Anjum Khan, Poonam Malik, Hemraj, front row Gogi Saroj Pal, Seema Gurriya, Vinod Sharma Visit to Kausani and famous heritage 12th Century Lord Shiva temples at Baijnath and breathtaking view of Someshwar and Garur Valleys Conuence: Kumaon Artists' Retreat from March 25th to March 30th, 2017 Photo: Bhaskaran R. B
Šgogisarojpal 9
Tandi Village from where my grandmother migrated as a young child. Tandi village is located in Lahul Tehsil of Lahul & Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh, India.It is situatd 9 km away from Kyelong, which is both the district & sub- district headquarter of Tandi village. It has a total population of 95 residents.There are about 34 houses in the village. Manali is the town nearest to Tandi.