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- Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal
Early Life
Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal was born on 14th July 1914 in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. He passed the High School Examination in 1930 from DAV High School, Muzaffarnagar. His father wanted him to become an engineer but he had a keen interest in paintings and music since childhood. When he was giving his engineering exam, unfortunately or fortunately ink pot spoiled his answer sheet, so by luck he entered in the field of art during Indian National Movement. As he was actively participating in non-cooperation movement, he was arrested and was advised to travel far away from his hometown. Fortunately, he happened to meet a good friend in Lucknow who encouraged Sanghal to join Lucknow School of Arts seeing his immense inclination towards drawing and painting. After completing 5 years diploma in Fine Arts in 1936, he certainly earned a degree but his yearning for authentic Indian art style remained unsatiated. This desire paved his way to meet a renowned teacher of Indian style Asit Kumar Halder (then Principal of Lucknow School of Arts) who imparted him knowledge and mentored him in the field of Arts.
Prayagraj
He established an exclusive school for Fine Arts at Allahabad (now Prayagraj) in 1938 as the ‘Allahabad School of Art’. The school was officially registered and renamed as ‘Kala Bharti Parishad’ during meeting with Ex. President of India Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Art’s critic Rai Krishan Das and poetess Mahadevi Verma. It imparted training on Indian style of Painting, Sculptures, Instrumental, Dance – ‘Bharatnatyam’, ‘Manipuri’, ‘Kathak’ and ‘Modern’. He remained director of Kala Bharati from 1938 to 1964. The school was run by a close aid eventually shutting down after a few years.
Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal teaching students at Kala Bharti in Allahabad
Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal with Sonia Gandhi at an exhibition organised in new delhi in 1992
Lucknow
Sanghal joined his alma matter Lucknow School of Arts in 1964 as a Professor of Fine Arts. In 1967 he became the Principal of Lucknow School of Arts after relentlessly serving the school till 1973. He continued his Allahabad legacy of Kala Bharti and took art classes at his own residence in Lucknow till 2004. He formulated the syllabus of Fine Arts of Kanpur University and published the book ‘Bhartiya Chittrakala Paddhati’ based on that in 1985 in Hindi. Sanghal was art advisor of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (First Prime Minister of India), as Nehru ji was very fond of Indian Art and on his personal advice, he has written a book on Philosophy of Art ‘Evolution of Art and Artists’. This book took 12 years to complete and is yet to be published. During that time Nehru ji insisted him to teach his daughter Indu (Smt. Indira Gandhi, then Congress President and Prime Minister of India) which was accepted by Sanghal and he taught her Arts. Luckily her marriage card was also designed by him and it was praised a lot by Nehru ji and dignities.
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The book cover of 'Bhartiya Chitrakala Paddhati' released in 1985.
Bhartiya Chitrakala Paddhati
Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal formulated the syllabus of Fine Arts of Kanpur University and published the book ‘Bhartiya Chittrakala Paddhati’ based on that in 1985 in Hindi for dealing with aesthetical, historial and specially technical aspects of Indian art. This book widely covers different aspects of art. It explains the definition of art, the significance of art in our lives, nature of art and its various dimensions. Prof. Sanghal goes on to explain the aesthetical aspect of art from his perpective. It truely reflects the stress he laid on 'satyam', 'shivam' 'sundaram', the rasas (emotional falvors), the six principles of Art and the eternal joy that art provides.
The second part of the book throws light on the historical aspects of art - the different styles of art that existed at various points in time.
The third part of the book is the most interesting part as it covers the practical aspects of art in the words of Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal. The basics of drawing with beautiful drawing illustrations, his original methods of making a perfect face, figure, hands, legs, leaves, flowers, trees, etc. He also explains the perfect measurements to draw which is totally in sync with how nature made everything. The book explains his painting techniques and what makes his paintings so unique and ever lasting. His wash technique is explained in his book in great detail. How is his wash technique is different and the way he evolved the existing techniques.
Evolution of Art and Artist
On a special incident, he got inspiration for art education through writing when in 1942 on the day of holi at 6 in the morning Pandit Nehru invited him to Anand Bhavan to prepare an invitation card for his daughter’s (Mrs.Indira Gandhi) wedding. As a request to prepare wedding invitation in Indian style, he discussed on various art aspects with Pandit Nehru for 2 hours and at the end he advised Sanghal to write down all the thoughts. It was this discussion which inspired him to start writing the epic ‘Evolution of Art and Artist’.
This book is written in English in three huge volumes and it took 12 years for Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal to write this book. Unfortunately, it could not be published during his life time.
Through the dedicated efforts of his granddaughter Priyam Chandra, the book was carefully digitized and compiled. Volume 1 of the book was officially released on 7th September 2025 by the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Brajesh Pathak, at the National Book Fair, Lucknow. The other two volumes are yet to be published.
All his contributions in the field of art are the result of his firm faith in a super-abstract God whose existence he easily and successfully proved in the history of philosophy in this book by means of the venetian theory of colors.
The book cover of 'Evolution of Art and Artist Vol 1' released in 2025.
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First artist from Uttar Pradesh with a consistent record of getting following
first prizes or some prizes of high order, whenever exhibited his works in any
of the leading All-India Art exhibitions held in undivided India.
- Second prize in 1937 for the painting 'Chak puja' in the whole exhibition held by All-India Fine Arts and Crafts Society, New Delhi.
- First Prize in 1939 for the painting 'Birth greetings' in Indian wash style of painting by All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society, New Delhi.
- First Prize for ‘Portrait of Tagore’ in tapestry work at the Dasahra Exhibition in Mysore, 1940
- First Prize in 1941 for the painting 'Rama's departure' in
Indian
wash style
of painting at the Society's 10th Annuual
Art Exhibition held by All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society,
New
Delhi.
Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal was awarded first prize by All India Arts and Crafts Society New Delhi in 1941.
- First Prize in 1947 for the painting 'Marriage procession' in
Indian wash
style
painting by the Bombay Art Society at their Bombay exhibition.
Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal was awarded first prize by Bombay Arts Society in 1947.
- Highly commended in 1947 for the painting 'Tapestry worker' for Western style painting in water color medium.
- Tagore Gold Medal for new medium in 1947 for the painting 'Khoria' by Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta
- The painting ‘Tempest of Life’ was selected for the first National Art Exhibition held by Lalit kala akademi, New Delhi in 1955.
- Indianized Chinese and Japanese Wash technique of paintings on the basis of Indian 'rasa' theory
- Evolved pure Indian means of expression of original 'bhavas' (feelings and ideas) through painting in series form like 'mahakavyas' in literature. eg. 'Marraige series', 'Indian life series', 'River of life series', 'Arjun series', 'Man series', 'Gandhi series' and 'Ramcharit series'
- Evolved original technique of tapestry work in India for the first time for 'figure-composition', 'landscape' and 'portraiture' with full tonal values.
- Evolved original, creative and dynamic method of teching imaginative, idealistic and subjective Indian style of painting as explained in his book 'Bhartiya Chitrakala Paddhati'
- Evolved and improved a durable process of lacsit painting on wood with water or tempera color medium.
- Evolved a novel technique of Indian painting based on Ajanta, Rajasthan, Mugal shailis incorporating therein some creative and congenial Eastern Chinese/Japanese and Western technical principals. Thus, symbolizing integration and unity of Indians in particular and mankind in general.
- Founded a cultural institution 'KALA BHARTI' at Allahabad on 02-02-1938, registered on 28-10-1957. It imparted training on Indian style of painting, sculpture, Batik, Leather work, various applied arts and handicrafts. It also imparted training on Music (vocal and instrumental), Dance (Bharatnatyam, Manipuri, Kathak and modern). It got recognized by the National Sangit Natak Akademi (New Delhi) and State Lalit Kala Akademi (Lucknow).
- Founded painting department at the Allahabad University at the request at its authorities.
- One of the founders of the U.P Artists Association, Lucknow. It was recognized by both National and State Lalit Kala Akademis.
Cultural Contribution
Thoroughly studied principles of Yogic therapy and Naturopathy and he applied them practically since 1948 in his own life for his own good and for the good of others.
Political Contribution
- Had been a true congressman as follower of Gandhiji undergoing imprisonment for few days while conducting picketing of liquor shops as head of volunteer corpse.
- Helped Congress by donating money collected out of sale of artistic leather-works through Indira Gandhi, Pandit sisters, Sapru sisters ,Katjus, Malviyas and others but on the other hand flatly refused to accept the offer of Lady Hallet( wife of late British Governor of Uttar Pradesh) and Lady Tom (wife of chief justice of Allahabad High Court) to organise Art Exhibition in London.
- Helped congress during 1937 elections by getting huge artistic gates erected like Ajanta gate, Mughal gate, Rana Pratap Gate, Grain gate, Textile gate, etc in different cities under the Delhi provincial Congress Committee with the result that Jawaharlal Nehru embraced him for the new idea and grand display in public.
Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal with Mahatma Gandhi.
General Contribution
- Prepared a very simple but meaningful design of invitation card for the marriage of Indira Gandhi on the invitation of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on Holi of 1942 which was highly appreciated.
- Was invited to prepare mural painting with subject DANDI MARCH for decoration of COUNCIL HOUSE, Lucknow.
- Have the proud privilege of painting 'THOU ART DUST to DUST RETURNEST' being purchased for Royal collection by late KING GEORGE, the V.
- Existence of God and soul through Venetian color theory
- Origin of emotional flavor (‘Rasa’) in human art which was different from Bharatamuni’s theory of Rasa
- Origin of Art in human life
- New Principles of form-composition and color composition based on the properties of 'dharamas' of elements of nature and soul for dynamic progress of art.
- Significance of colors with respect to different emotional flavors (‘Rasas’)
- Absence of light and shade, abstraction of colors and use of lines in Eastern schools of paintings, along with the stress on light and shade concretion of colors for texture in Western ones
- Prominence of yellow and red colors in Rajasthan paintings
- Rise and fall of different styles or schools of painting
- Developed six principles of Art for creating ‘Rasas’ (emotional flavours) which are different from those of Yashodhar Pandit, the commentator of Vatsyayanas’s Kama Sutra.
- He also evolved an original formula for the correct reading and interpretation of ‘mudras’ which were so far left unheeded and unexplained.
- Like attributes - sat, chit, ananda of 'sachchidananda parmatman' or God; three satta, rajas, tamas gunas of 'anatman' or nature; he explained aesthetically three values - satyam, shivam, sundaram of 'Jivatman' or soul and art also as a means of expression of 'bhavas' vibrated by it