‘Impressions & Expressions – HC Rai Memorial Art Fest’ Wraps Up on a High Note

The week-long ‘Impressions & Expressions – HC Rai Memorial Art Fest – 2024’ concluded on a triumphant and joyful note, leaving a lasting impression on both the artists and visitors. Many of the participating artists expressed excitement and vowed to return with even more engaging and innovative works next year, particularly focused on nurturing emerging young talent. The event featured art from four generations, beginning with the iconic HC Rai, followed by his students and their successors, with notable contributions from artists such as Prof. Him Chatterjee, Prof. Ranjan Mallik, Kewal Krishna Kamra, Jagjit Singh, Danny Balbir Singh, and Aditya Singh Thakur.

Amala Rai, Secretary of Abhivyakti, highlighted the success of the festival, reporting an average of 600-700 visitors daily, showcasing its wide appeal among art lovers. Many pieces found buyers, with sales of paintings and sculptures totaling approximately Rs. 3,00,000. She expressed her gratitude to the patrons, noting that the enthusiasm of buyers provides immense encouragement to the artists, demonstrating that true art resonates in the hearts of those who appreciate it.

One of the event’s highlights was the live portrait sketches by artist Jagjit Nishant, which were a big hit with visitors. His sketches alone generated nearly Rs. 20,000 in sales.

The visitor’s book was filled with positive feedback, reflecting the festival’s impact. Kamaljit and Davinder from the USA remarked, “It’s wonderful to see local artists being celebrated and supported. Please continue to encourage them.” Anshul Kaushik from Dehradun shared, “This experience reminded me of why I love art—the escape, the sense of connection, and the transfer of emotion from artist to viewer. It was the highlight of my trip to Shimla.” Visitors from the UK, Goseth and Steph, also praised the exhibition, saying, “We were captivated by the stunning paintings, particularly those of the Shimla skyline, and we’re thrilled to have bought a beautiful sculpture.”

The festival was inaugurated by the Education Minister, who praised the initiative. He acknowledged the efforts of Amala Rai in organizing the event to honor her late father, HC Rai, the founding principal of the Fine Arts College in Shimla. He lauded her dedication to preserving her father’s legacy and commended the entire team for their work in making the event a success. The Chief Minister also visited the festival and congratulated the organizers, expressing admiration for the dedication and hard work that went into the event.

In her closing address, Amala Rai expressed her deep appreciation for the overwhelming response from visitors and assured that the festival would return next year with fresh energy and ideas. She also announced that ‘Impressions & Expressions’ would now become an annual event, with ongoing support from the Language & Culture Department, whose unwavering assistance made the event possible.

The success of this year’s festival has set high expectations for the future, with both artists and visitors eagerly awaiting the next edition.