Lucknow – The historic College of Arts and Crafts, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Lucknow, has introduced a new tradition by instituting the “Ragini Upadhyay Gold Medal”, awarded for the first time at the university’s 68th convocation ceremony.
The medal, named after celebrated alumna and internationally acclaimed Nepali artist Ragini Upadhyay, will henceforth be presented annually to the best-performing postgraduate student in Fine Arts. This year, the honor went to Hewa Kalu Annakkage Venura Dilshanka De Silva of Sri Lanka, who recently completed his Master of Visual Arts. The medal was conferred by the Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
Expressing his gratitude, De Silva said, “It is a matter of immense pride to receive the first Ragini Upadhyay Gold Medal for my performance in the Master’s program. This is the greatest honor of my life, and I shall cherish it forever.”
Ragini Upadhyay, chairperson of the Lalit Kala Pragya Pratishthan Nepal and the Ragini Upadhyay Foundation, described the medal’s institution as a way of honoring her alma mater and mentors. “Establishing this medal is deeply personal for me. I hope it inspires future generations of artists to achieve excellence,” she said, extending congratulations to the first recipient.
The Dean and Principal, Prof. Ratan Kumar, highlighted the significance of the moment: “For the first time in the 114-year history of this prestigious institution, a former student has instituted such a gold medal. It marks the beginning of a proud tradition that will continue to recognize outstanding talent.”
Former Principal and senior artist Jai Krishna Agrawal lauded the initiative, noting that Ragini’s contribution would inspire future artists: “Lucknow’s historic art college has produced some of the finest names in Indian art. Ragini’s gesture is a testament to her gratitude towards the institution and her commitment to nurturing talent.”
Prof. Alok Kumar recalled the strong artistic links forged between Sri Lanka and India through the college, citing a long line of Sri Lankan students, including Venura, who enriched their practice in Lucknow. He praised De Silva’s artistic growth, particularly his 50 works created during his Master’s program, blending Indian and Sri Lankan influences with striking compositions and figurative art.
The College of Arts and Crafts, founded in 1892 and incorporated into Lucknow University in 1974, holds a distinguished legacy. It has produced five Padma Shri awardees and continues to attract students from across India and abroad. With the Ragini Upadhyay Gold Medal, the institution has now added another milestone to its illustrious journey—one that promises to motivate generations of young artists.
