Lucknow: A major retrospective exhibition titled “Chhapa… Imprint of a Lifetime” opened to acclaim at the Kokoro Art Gallery, showcasing the remarkable journey of noted printmaker Manohar Lal Bhungra. Curated by Vandana Sehgal and inaugurated by senior artist Jai Krishna Agrawal, the exhibition offers a comprehensive look into the evolution of printmaking as a powerful medium in Indian contemporary art.
The exhibition goes beyond a display of artworks, presenting a cultural narrative that traces the historical depth, aesthetic richness, and modern relevance of printmaking in India. Featuring 51 works, it captures Bhungra’s decades-long artistic exploration across techniques such as lithography, etching, linocut, woodcut, collagraph, and screen printing.
A product of Lucknow’s vibrant cultural milieu, Bhungra received his formal training at the College of Arts and Crafts Lucknow, where he later served as a dedicated educator for nearly 35 years. His approach to printmaking blends technical precision with emotional depth, treating the medium as a space for expressing lived experiences, social realities, and philosophical reflections.
His works are marked by recurring motifs such as serpents, birds, women, and fish—symbols deeply rooted in Indian cultural memory. Through minimal lines and balanced compositions, Bhungra creates evocative visual narratives that engage viewers in a quiet yet profound dialogue. His lithographs, in particular, stand out for their tonal depth and textural finesse.
Speaking about the medium, curator Vandana Sehgal highlighted printmaking’s unique process of transferring images from a matrix onto surfaces like paper or fabric, allowing for multiple reproductions while retaining individuality in each print. This multiplicity, she noted, distinguishes printmaking from other art forms.
The exhibition also situates Bhungra’s work within the broader history of Indian printmaking, referencing pioneers like Raja Ravi Varma, who popularized art through oleography, and modernists such as Gaganendranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, and Somnath Hore, who expanded its expressive scope.
At the inauguration, Jai Krishna Agrawal praised Bhungra’s dedication to experimentation, noting his transition from traditional linocuts and woodcuts to advanced techniques like metal plate etching and collagraphy. He also highlighted Bhungra’s decision to pursue advanced studies at Visva-Bharati University under Somnath Hore, instead of going abroad, reflecting his commitment to Indian artistic traditions.
Born in 1947, Bhungra completed his National Diploma in Fine Arts in 1968 and pursued advanced research in graphic arts in 1971. His career includes prestigious exhibitions across India and international participation in print biennales in countries such as Norway, Australia, and the United States.
The exhibition remains open to visitors until June 7, 2026, offering art enthusiasts, students, and scholars a rare opportunity to engage with the life and legacy of a master printmaker.
More than just an art show, “Chhapa… Imprint of a Lifetime” stands as a celebration of artistic dedication—where each print becomes a lasting imprint of time, memory, and human experience.
