Draft:Chitralekha Singh
Chitralekha Singh is an Indian artist, author, and art educator based in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. She is recognised for her work in painting, art education, academic leadership, publications, cultural promotion, and advocacy of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam and Vishva Shanti (World Peace).
Early Life
Chitralekha Singh was born on 20 June 1945. According to the provided account, she studied up to the fifth standard in Bathinda before continuing at mission schools and completing her education from high school through intermediate at PG Girls College, Agra. She developed an interest in painting from childhood, and her early artistic work received appreciation from art scholars. Her mentor, Rameshwar Prasad Shukla, guided her in the field of art with the encouragement of her parents.
Education
Chitralekha Singh completed her graduation and postgraduation in painting. She subsequently completed an M.A., a Ph.D. on "Kala Guru Nandlal Bose tatha unki kala sadhna" (Art Guru Nandlal Bose and his artistic pursuit), and a D.Litt. on "Bhartiya Chitra Kala Main Siva (1600–1900)" (Shiva in Indian Painting, 1600–1900). She is described in the provided material as the first woman in the world to receive a D.Litt. in Painting.
Career
Chitralekha Singh began her academic career as a Lecturer in Painting at Agra University and later became Reader and Head of the Department of Fine Arts at Agra College, Agra. She served as a University Grants Commission (UGC) Research Associate from 1974 to 1984 and worked on UGC Minor and Major Research Projects and an Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) short-term project.
She served as Founder-Director of Lalit Kala Sansthan, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Agra, and as Founder Dean of the Institute of Visual and Performing Arts and Research at Mangalayatan University, Aligarh. She also served as Dean of the Institute of Visual and Performing Art at Vishwamitrapuri (BESVO), Aligarh.
She currently serves as Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, Fine and Performing Arts, Yoga, and Astrology at Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh.
She has served as an examiner for six universities and as a research guide for four universities. She has also served as a Captain in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and retired as a holder of the Defence Secretariat Commendation Card.
Art and Cultural Work
Chitralekha Singh has held approximately 20 solo exhibitions and 32 group exhibitions in India and abroad. Her paintings are reported to be held in collections in India, Bangladesh, Holland, Germany, Indonesia, Nigeria, Rome, the United States, China, and Canada.
Her work is primarily spiritual in theme and includes wash, tempera/oil, and acrylic-on-canvas techniques. Her thematic series include Shiva, Buddha, World Peace, Indian Woman (Bharatiya Nari), Wanderer (Yayavari), Divine Light (Divya Jyoti), Divine Knowledge (Divya Gyan), Shriyantra, Aravali, Sadhu, and Divine Flower (Divya Pushp).
She has travelled internationally for art and cultural promotion and to share messages of world peace.
Publications
Chitralekha Singh has authored or co-authored approximately 28 published books, with additional titles reported to be under publication. Her works cover Indian art, painting, Hindu deities, art education, aesthetics, and the history of Indian art.
Her publications include "The Paintings of Shiva in Indian Art", "Drawings of Rajasthan", "Art of Japan", "Chinese Painting", "Durga", "Ganesh", "Hanuman", "Lakshmi", "1008 Names of Shiva", "Kali", "Saraswati", "Hindu Goddesses", "Hindu Fairs and Festivals", "The Great Religions of the World", "Shiva the Great God", "Kala Shikshan" (Art Teaching), "Kala Shiksha" (Art Education), "An Elementary History of Indian Art", "Aesthetics and Art Critical History", and a five-volume "Encyclopedia History of Indian Art".
A biography titled "Dr Chitralekha Singh: The Artist" was authored by Devendra Mohan.
Achievements
Chitralekha Singh has received numerous awards and honours throughout her career, including recognitions from Sanskar Bharti, the DLA Award, the Rupayan Achievers Award, Kala Vibhushan, Swasti Samman, Kala Vibhuti Samman, and the Gandhi Medal "Kala Ratna" award.
Her painting "Divya Gyan" (The Enlightenment) was selected for the Art Prize at an international art event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, in 2014.
Philanthropy
Chitralekha Singh founded "Chitralekha: The Village of Art," a society based in Agra that supports folk arts and young and established painters by providing facilities for their work. She also founded "Chitralekha Public School" to nurture aesthetic sensibility among art-inclined students from childhood.
Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam and Vishva Shanti
Chitralekha Singh's stated message is "Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam" and "Vishva Shanti" (World Peace). The message expresses the ideals of universal family, harmony, peaceful coexistence, and world peace.
Through her artistic, educational, and cultural activities, she promotes the values of universal brotherhood and peace and connects these themes with her wider work in art and cultural education.
External Links
Official Website Facebook – Chitralekha Singh Instagram – @dr.chitralekhasingh Facebook – Chitralekha Singh