Lucknow: Prof. Ram Jaiswal, a distinguished painter, sensitive educator and acclaimed litterateur, passed away in Ajmer, Rajasthan, after prolonged illness. He was 90. Born on September 5, 1935, in Sadabad, Mathura (Uttar Pradesh), Prof. Jaiswal was an alumnus of Lucknow College of Arts and Crafts and remained deeply associated with the institution throughout his life. The news of his demise, received late on Wednesday evening, has plunged the art and literary fraternity across the country into mourning.
A multifaceted and exceptionally gifted personality, Prof. Jaiswal earned his Diploma in Fine Arts from Lucknow College of Arts and Crafts between 1953 and 1958, and later completed his Master’s degree (MA) in Painting from the University of Rajasthan. His academic career began at DAV PG College, Ajmer, where he served in the Department of Painting, rising from lecturer to Professor and Head of the Department before retiring. Even after retirement, he remained actively engaged in painting and literary creation.
Prof. Jaiswal was especially renowned for his mastery in watercolour and wash techniques. Transparency, flow, restraint and deep sensitivity were hallmarks of his visual language. His works were exhibited widely in major art centres including Jaipur, Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Goa, Shimla, Ahmedabad and Ajmer. He actively participated in numerous state and national-level art camps and exhibitions. He received several awards from Lalit Kala Parishad, Lucknow, and Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi. In 1997, the Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi honoured him with its highest recognition, the Kalavid award. He was also conferred with prestigious honours such as Kala Ratna, Vayovriddha Kalakar Samman, Nagari Das Samman and Sanskar Bharati Samman. His paintings form part of national and state art galleries as well as important private collections.
Alongside his achievements in visual art, Prof. Jaiswal made a significant mark in literature. His first short story was published in 1956. His notable short story collections include Asurakshit, Ugra, Samay Dansh, Vish Jal and Aviram, while Bimb–Pratibimb remains his well-known poetry collection. His writings were rooted in lived realities, human emotions and social truths rather than abstract imagination. Being a painter, he also designed the covers of several of his books himself, creating a rare and harmonious blend of word and colour.
According to Bhupendra Kumar Asthana, artists, art historians, writers and students from Lucknow and beyond have described Prof. Ram Jaiswal’s demise as an irreparable loss to both art and literature. Known for his simplicity, warmth and sensitivity, Prof. Jaiswal leaves behind a long lineage of students, a rich creative legacy and countless inspiring memories. Through his ideas, teaching and creative pursuits, he will continue to live on in collective memory.
He is remembered with deep respect and heartfelt homage.
— Bhupendra Kumar Asthana
