Lucknow – As part of the concluding ceremony of the Kakori Train Action Centenary Mahotsav titled “Veeron Ko Naman” (“Salute to the Brave”), the Uttar Pradesh State Lalit Kala Akademi, in collaboration with the UP Tourism Department, organised a series of art events at the Shaheed Smarak, Bajnagar, Kakori from August 2–6, 2025.
The programme featured a large-scale wall painting workshop depicting the historic Kakori Train Action. The mural, spanning 200 feet by 20 feet, was created on the wall behind the memorial’s exhibition hall facing the railway track, allowing train passengers to view the artwork and learn about the heroes of India’s freedom struggle. Participating artists included Sanjay Raj (Hamirpur), Kunwar Amrendu Singh (Jaunpur), Vinay Kumar (Chitrakoot), Vinod Kumar (Sitapur), Ranjan Kumar (Azamgarh), Dhirendra Kumar (Lucknow), and Pradeep Vyahut (Barabanki).
The Akademi also organised the creation of five live paintings at the memorial by artists Manoj Kumar Hansraj, Faujdar Kumar, Siddharth Dev, Jai Prakash Gupta, and Manoj Kumar Gaur (all from Lucknow). In addition, a special logo for the Kakori Train Action was designed by Amit Kumar (Lucknow).
From August 8–15, 2025, the Shaheed Smarak is hosting an exhibition of 45 artworks and 16 sketches dedicated to freedom fighters, created by eminent artists from across Uttar Pradesh and beyond. Notable contributors include Shriram Bihari Shah (Lakhimpur), Anurag Gautam (Lucknow), Manish Sen (Kolkata), Khushboo Upadhyay Soni (Mathura), Palliv Aashish (Lucknow), and several others. The exhibition also showcases masterworks from the Akademi’s permanent collection.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who commended the Akademi’s efforts to honour the martyrs through art and preserve the legacy of Kakori for future generations.
