Bhand Pather performance earns national recognition at New Delhi exhibition
Srinagar: Ravice Rashid, popularly known as Rayees Wathori, has been awarded the prestigious Art for Hope Grant 2026 under the CSR initiative of Hyundai India. A total of 40 individuals from across the country were selected for the grant, each receiving ₹1,00,000, with Rayees representing Jammu & Kashmir.
The grant was awarded to support Rayees Wathori’s effort to revive and reinterpret Shikargah through the traditional Bhand Pather performance art form. As part of the project, he trained around 10–15 young artists, contributing to the preservation and promotion of this indigenous theatrical tradition.
The final exhibition was held at Travancore Palace, New Delhi, from March 19 to March 22, 2026, where artists from across India showcased a wide range of artistic expressions. Representing Kashmir, Rayees Wathori and his team drew significant attention with their performance.
Including Tahir Ahmad Najar, Khursheed Ahmad, and Tanvir Ahmad Bhat, the team presented a performance in the Bhand Pather style that was widely appreciated and applauded by the audience.
Speaking about the recognition, Rayees Wathori said, “This is not merely about the amount, but about national recognition. It means a lot to me that Bhand Pather has been acknowledged through this grant.”
