Legacy in Lines: H.C. Rai Memorial ArtFest 2025 Returns to Honour Four Generations of Art
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Shimla, September 22, 2025 – The iconic Gaiety Theatre is once again preparing to welcome art lovers, students and cultural connoisseurs as ‘Impressions & Expressions: H.C. Rai Memorial ArtFest 2025’ opens from September 23 to 29, between 11:00 am and 7:30 pm daily. Now in its third edition, this much-anticipated event is a celebration not only of art but also of a legacy — that of Prof. Harish Chandra Rai (1923–2018), the legendary artist, educator, and cultural visionary who left an indelible mark on Himachal Pradesh’s artistic landscape.
Organised by Abhivyakti, a cultural organisation founded by Prof. Rai himself in 1994, the ArtFest serves as a living tribute to his vision — one that placed art at the heart of community, culture, and education. Dr. Anurita Saxena, Principal of RKMV, Shimla, will grace the inaugural ceremony.
This year’s edition brings together works of nine acclaimed artists from across the country — representing four generations of creative lineage that trace back to Prof. Rai himself. Featuring the works of Jagjeet Nishat, Kewal Krishan Kamra, Prof. Him Chatterjee, Dr. Ranjan Kumar Mallik, Danny Balbir Singh, Timsi Gupta, Sayonee Chatterjee and Aditya Singh Thakur, the exhibition forms a rich visual dialogue across time, styles, and sensibilities. Their collective presence under one roof is a powerful reminder of art’s ability to bridge generations and inspire new ones.
But ‘Impressions & Expressions’ is more than an art exhibition. It is a platform that binds creativity with conscience. Since its inception, the ArtFest has committed 25% of sales proceeds to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, contributing to the rebuilding of Himachal Pradesh in the wake of recurring natural disasters. This year too, all participating artists have pledged their support, underscoring the idea that art is not just for galleries — it is for people, for healing, and for change.
The driving force behind this initiative, Abhivyakti, has spent over three decades championing the arts in both urban and rural settings — from staging plays and conducting workshops to working with underserved communities and even organising creative programmes in prisons. Rooted in the ethos that art belongs to everyone, Abhivyakti continues to cultivate spaces where artistic expression and social engagement thrive together.
As the 2025 ArtFest prepares to open its doors, the invitation is not merely to witness art, but to participate in a shared journey of legacy, learning, and creative evolution.
A Life Etched in Art: The Enduring Legacy of Prof. Harish Chandra Rai
Born on May 27, 1923 in Bareilly, Prof. Harish Chandra Rai discovered his love for art at the age of four. He formally studied at the Government School of Arts, Lucknow, and later at the Sir J. J. School of Art, Mumbai, training under some of the country’s most celebrated artists — including A.K. Haldar, N. Roychowdhary, L.M. Sen, B. Sen, and Shridhar Mahapatra. Beginning his teaching career at Bareilly College, Prof. Rai soon moved to Himachal Pradesh, where he became the founding Principal of the Government College of Arts, and later of RKMV, Shimla. His academic and artistic contributions during this period laid the groundwork for Himachal’s modern art education system.
A master across disciplines, Prof. Rai was known for his versatility — working with watercolours, pastels, oils, sculpture, and clay. His thematic range was equally expansive, exploring Himalayan landscapes, human portraiture, and abstract spiritual motifs. Deeply influenced by classical music, poetry, Kathak, and architecture, he brought a multi-dimensional sensibility to his work. He also composed hundreds of verses in Brij Bhasha and Awadhi, blending literary expression with visual art.
Rai’s pencil sketches, often described as profound and technically unmatched, received rare acclaim from his mentors. Upon seeing a sketch of Swami Shivanand, A.K. Haldar remarked: “Leave apart doing such standard of work, no artist in India has the capability even to comprehend the intricacies of this work.”
His legacy is global — with artworks in private collections and public spaces around the world. Notably, his paintings adorned the Summit Hall during the historic Indira-Bhutto Summit, a testament to the national importance of his work. Recognising his immense contribution, the Himachal Pradesh Government established the Prof. H. C. Rai Gallery of Contemporary Art at the State Museum, Shimla.
Among his notable achievements is the illustrated book, The Simla Story – The Glow & After Glow of the Raj: A Sketch Book (1992), co-authored with O.C. Sud. Using only a black ballpoint pen, Rai sketched Shimla’s heritage buildings on-site, creating a visually arresting record of the city’s colonial and cultural identity.
Now, as the ArtFest returns for its third edition in 2025, it stands as a powerful convergence of art, memory, mentorship, and meaning — a space where the past breathes through present brushstrokes, and the future waits to be inspired.
