New Delhi: A seven-day exhibition showcasing the timeless wash paintings of the late Prof. Sukhveer Singhal—one of India’s most revered art masters and a pioneer of the Wash technique—will open on November 6, 2025, at the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. Titled “Museum on the Wheels,” the exhibition will continue till November 12 and feature 45 of his most celebrated artworks.
The exhibition will be inaugurated at 6 p.m. by Dr. Sanjeev Kishore Gautam (Director General, National Gallery of Modern Art), Dr. Nandlal Thakur (Vice Chairman, Lalit Kala Akademi), Dr. Alka Pande (Art Historian & Museum Curator), and Prashant Bhushan (Senior Advocate, Supreme Court & Art Enthusiast).
A Moving Tribute to a Timeless Legacy
Curated by Priyam Chandra, Prof. Singhal’s granddaughter, Museum on the Wheels seeks to carry forward a priceless artistic legacy that has journeyed across cities in search of a permanent home. Nearly a century old, this artistic treasure embodies the depth of Indian culture, philosophy, and spirituality, reflecting a profound harmony between tradition and innovation.
A Glimpse into India’s Spiritual and Cultural Canvas
The exhibition will present Prof. Singhal’s renowned series including River of Life, Phases of Life, Marriage, Arjun as an Ideal Man, Indian Life, Ramcharit, and Kashmir Landscape. It will also feature select tapestries and other masterworks created across diverse mediums.
The River of Life and Phases of Life series explore philosophical and spiritual dimensions of human existence, while Marriage delves into the psychological and cultural intricacies of Indian traditions. Arjun as an Ideal Man and Ramcharit are inspired by epic narratives, whereas Indian Life portrays the resilience and struggles of rural India. The Kashmir Landscape series vividly captures the ethereal beauty of the valley on canvas. Prof. Singhal’s tapestries—intricate works of embroidery on khadi fabric—remain a testament to his fusion of craft and fine art.
Master of the Wash Technique
Though celebrated primarily for his mastery in the Wash style, Prof. Singhal experimented extensively across media—watercolors, silk, wood, khadi embroidery, sculpture, and leather art. Born on July 14, 1914, in Muzaffarnagar, he displayed a deep fascination for art since childhood. A true patriot, he participated in India’s freedom struggle and was even imprisoned multiple times.
Following family advice, he pursued formal art education at the Government School of Art and Crafts, Lucknow, where his creative quest continued to evolve. In 1938, he founded Kala Bharati in Prayagraj, an institution dedicated to fine arts, classical music, and dance, which attracted many distinguished students—including two future Prime Ministers, Indira Gandhi and V.P. Singh.
An Artist, Educator, and Philosopher
Encouraged by his mentors A.K. Haldar and Abanindranath Tagore, Prof. Singhal later joined the Government School of Art and Crafts, Lucknow, where he rose to become Principal and served until 1973. A leading figure of the Bengal School of Art, he developed an indigenous Wash technique rooted in the Indian aesthetic theory of Rasa, giving his paintings a timeless quality. His works delve deep into human emotion, where symbolic colors evoke spiritual and psychological nuances.
Beyond Wash paintings, he produced lacquer works, silk paintings, tapestries, landscapes, portraits, and sculptures. His 1985 treatise, Bhartiya Chitrakala Paddhati, remains a seminal text on Indian art aesthetics and pedagogy. As art advisor to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, he authored the monumental three-volume Evolution of Art and Artist, a project that took 12 years to complete. The first volume was unveiled by Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak at the National Book Fair in Lucknow on September 7, 2025, with Volumes II and III set for publication soon.
National Recognition and Global Impact
Prof. Singhal received numerous awards from prestigious bodies including the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), Bombay Art Society, and Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata. His celebrated painting Thou Art Dust, to Dust Returnest was acquired by King George V for the Royal Collection. In 1942, he designed Indira Gandhi’s wedding invitation at Nehru’s request—a work that earned international acclaim.
After retiring, he continued teaching art from his Lucknow home and remained deeply connected to classical music as a disciple of Pandit Bhola Bhatt. Known for his simplicity and introspection, he also practiced and promoted natural therapy and yoga. Prof. Singhal passed away on November 29, 2006, leaving behind a vast and enduring artistic legacy.
Continuing the Legacy
In his honor, the State Lalit Kala Akademi, Uttar Pradesh organized a retrospective exhibition in March 2022, followed by displays at Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation. On his 108th and 109th birth anniversaries, art workshops and exhibitions were held by Rashtriya Kala Manch and Kala Bharati Trust in collaboration with Goyal Group of Institutions and Lucknow Metro.
In 2022, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation named the main road outside his residence in Kaiserbagh as Prof. Sukhveer Singhal Marg, a fitting tribute to the artist whose works continue to inspire generations. Prof. Singhal’s art remains a luminous bridge between India’s heritage and modern sensibility—an eternal expression of emotion, devotion, and imagination.
