“In my dreams even today
I continue to soar like a bird above
the valleys of those mountains.”
Born in a picturesque village in Lansdowne, Garhwal UttaraKhand, nature inspires my life, both personal and professional.
Cradled in the lap of nature, the 5 basic elements – water, earth, fire, air and ether have played a pivotal role in my imagery. My works is inspired by the vigour, life force and grace that nature diffuses into our beings. Thus my leaning towards the fine arts is a natural culmination. That I would pursue fine arts was undoubted. But the fascination for sculpture came about after my admission into the art college; I came across replicas of works by eminent sculptors & since then, the diverse strains of my inner thoughts found their harmony in the every single touch of my chisel.
My contribution to contemporary art embodies and reflects our age-old heritage. The first milestone was crossed in 1967 in the presentation of my first solo exhibition, where after I partook in a series of solo and group exhibitions both in India and abroad. From 1972 – 75, I worked as a sculptor in Creative Arts, Bal Bhawan, New Delhi, from1975 – 79 I worked as a lecturer in Sarda Ukil School of Art, New Delhi and then as lecturer in Delhi College of Art from where I retired as Head of the sculpture Department.
Proud moments have been those in which my work found its way into the collections of Lalit Kala Akademi, National Gallery of Modern Art New Delhi, Sahitya Kala Parishad New Delhi, Chitra Kala Parishad Bangalore, Rajghat New Delhi, West Zone Cultural Centre Udaipur, Bal Bhawan New Delhi, Punjab University Chandigarh to name a few. Many of my pieces also grace the private collections of artists in India and abroad.
My sculptures at public sites are a tribute to the eternal creator, be it the 18ft tall fountain sculpture at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, New Delhi, the high relief sculpture of COW & KRISHNA at Kurukshetra, the bust of Lenin for the then USSR embassy at New Delhi, the 10 feet bronze statue of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in Ambedkar University in Lucknow, the 10 feet bronze statue of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia in Farrukabad in Uttar Pradesh, double life size bronze bust of Late Sh. Rajiv Gandhi former Prime Minister of India at Jawahar Bhawan in New Delhi, Double life size bronze bust of Gen. Thimmaya at the Army Academy in Dehradun, Double life bronze bust of Mahatma Gandhi installed in Jamaica, Netherlands, Mahey. The 8X5 ft high relief sculpture tilted “VICTORY” at the Infantry office, Sena Bhawan, New Delhi, the 20X8 feet granite stone sculpture titled “MYSTERY”, the 30X27 feet 5 figure composition in bronze titled “VICTORY” installed in Mhow Fort, Infantry school in Madhya Pradesh, 20X10 feet Terracotta mural in press conference room at IGI Airport stand testimony to my all consuming passion for art. These grandiose creations have been soul-quenching endeavors of mine.
My participation in the national and international camps such as the National Award winner Artist camp in Madras in 1980, sculpture camp sponsored by Chitra Kala Parishad Bangalore, All India Cultural Festival at SAARC meet at Bangalore, Chang Chun International cultural symposium in China in 2000, sculpture and painting symposium in Langkawi, Malaysia in 2000 have all contributed to enriching and widening my horizon.
I have had the honour of being the member of the jury in the UP state Lalit Kala Academy, Lucknow, Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi, Jaipur, the UP Handicrafts Board, Lucknow and have the proud association with ASTHA group and GALLERY 26, New Delhi of which I am a founder member.
Reproductions of my sculptures and articles have been published in various journals in India and abroad such as Dinman, Saptahik Hindustan, Art News, Dharamyug, Aaj Kal, Jan Satta, Lalit Kala Contemporary, The Hindu, Times of India, Hindustan Times, National Herald, The Pioneer, Samkalin Lalit Kala Academi and Kala Darshan.
But the outstanding moments have been those in which my work has won acclaim. In 1963 & 1968 I was awarded the Government College of Arts & Crafts Award, Lucknow. If 1965, 70 & 1979 saw the UP state Lalit Kala Akademi award for the best sculpture, in 1966 I was the winner of the Principal’s Award, Government College of Arts & Crafts, Lucknow, in 1970 I was bestowed with the NDMC award, New Delhi. The landmark moment came in 1979 when my work “POLLEN” in bronze won the National Award for sculpture. Thereafter in 1980 & 1998, the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award and the AIFACS award in 1991 & 1998 have added to the glory. It is my belief that it is not the trophy itself or the cash award accompanying it that makes an award so endearing. It is the fact that each award only reiterates my commitment and is symbolic to my devotion to art.