Paintings being arranged for the exhibition at Town Hall in Kalimpong. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Kalimpong, Aug. 13: An exhibition-cum-sale of paintings by artists from the hills and Sikkim is expected to make the Independence Day celebration here a colourful affair this time.

Though not part of the Independence Day programme, the organisers of Kalimpong in Colours that starts in Town Hall tomorrow are hoping that at least some among the thousands of revellers, who will come down here for the extended celebrations of the day, will make it to the show.

The five-day-long exhibition is being organised by the Kalimpong Artists’ Association (KAA). “An affair involving so many artists is being organised for the first time here. Although the town does not have a gallery to stage such an event, we chose not to compromise on the scale of the exhibition,” said Tika Pradhan, the association secretary.

Over 200 paintings by artists from Darjeeling, Kurseong, Siliguri, Sikkim and Kalimpong will be on display at the show. Some of the names whose works will be exhibited include Mahendra Thami and Hemu Subba from Darjeeling, Pasang Sherpa from Namchi, Suraj Pradhan from Rhenock, Bapuji from Siliguri and Sunil Pradhan and Tika from Kalimpong.

The Independence Day celebrations in Kalimpong spill over to at least an additional day if not more. People from neighbouring towns also come to witness the events, which locals call the third biggest annual festival after Dasain and Diwali.

The KAA secretary said except for a few paintings, all others are up for sale. The organisers have also lined up a sit-and-draw competition for school children on August 16. “The idea is to encourage youngsters to take to painting.”