The Lalit Kala Akademi will present a major solo exhibition showcasing the works of Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal (1914–2006), a pioneering figure of the Bengal School of art, from November 6 to 12, 2025.
Titled “Museum on the Wheels,” the exhibition brings together 45 paintings and tapestries spanning the artist’s career, including works from his acclaimed series River of Life, Phases of Life, Marriage, Arjuna as an Ideal Man, Indian Life, Ramcharit, and Kashmir Landscapes. The collection demonstrates Sanghal’s mastery of the wash painting technique, a method adapted from Japanese traditions by the Bengal School in the early 20th century, characterized by translucent washes creating soft, atmospheric effects.
Born in Muzaffarnagar in 1914, Sanghal received formal training at the Government School of Arts and Crafts, Lucknow, where he later served as Principal until 1973. His artistic development was shaped by mentors A.K. Halder and Abanindranath Tagore. Beyond painting, he explored watercolour on wood and silk, sculpture, embroidery, and fine art on leather. His tapestries on khadi cloth represent a distinctive fusion of craftsmanship and fine art.
In 1938, Sanghal founded Kala Bharti in Prayagraj, an institution dedicated to fine arts, classical music, and dance. The institution attracted notable students including Indira Gandhi and Vishwanath Pratap Singh. His involvement in India’s independence movement led to multiple arrests during the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Sanghal’s work received national recognition from the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society, the Bombay Art Society, and the Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta. His painting “Thou Art Dust, to Dust Returnest” was acquired for the Royal Collection by Emperor George V. In 1942, at Jawaharlal Nehru’s request, he designed Indira Gandhi’s wedding invitation.
The artist authored two significant books on Indian art philosophy: “Bhartiya Chitrakala Paddhati” and “Evolution of Art and Artist,” the latter’s first volume launched at the National Book Fair, Lucknow in September 2025.
Since his death in 2006, Sanghal’s legacy has been honored through retrospectives organized by the State Lalit Kala Akademi, Uttar Pradesh, and exhibitions on his birth anniversaries. In 2022, the Lucknow Nagar Nigam named a road Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal Marg in his honor.
The exhibition is curated by Priyam Chandra, Sanghal’s granddaughter. The inauguration will be attended by Dr. Sanjeev Kishore Gautam, Director General of the National Gallery of Modern Art; Dr. Nand Lal Thakur, Vice Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi; Dr. Alka Pande, Art Historian and Museum Curator; and Mr. Prashant Bhushan, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court.
Exhibition Details:
Museum on the Wheels: A Solo Art Exhibition by Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal
Venue: Gallery 1 & 2, Lalit Kala Akademi, 35 Ferozeshah Road, Mandi House, New Delhi
Inauguration: Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Dates: November 6–12, 2025
Timings: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM daily
Curator: Priyam Chandra
Cover Image: Arjuna as a concentrated Archer
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