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 recognised as the first woman in the world to receive a D.Litt. in Painting, awarded by Agra University.
Career
Chitralekha Singh began her academic career as a Lecturer in Painting at Agra University and later became 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, Agra; Founder Director of Mangalayatan University, Aligarh; and Founder Director of Mewar University, Gangrar, Chittorgarh. She currently serves as Director General of Art, Culture, Fine Arts and Museums at Mewar University, where she has established seven museums.
She has served as an examiner for numerous universities across India and as a research guide, supervising 100 Ph.D. scholars and 215 M.Phil. scholars, along with thousands of students worldwide. She has served as a Captain in the National Cadet Corps (NCC), as an Associate NCC Officer (ANO) at Agra College, and retired as a recipient of the Defence Secretariat Commendation Card.
Art and Cultural Work
Chitralekha Singh has held approximately 20 solo exhibitions and 40 group exhibitions in India and abroad. Her paintings are held in collections in India, America, Canada, Dubai, and Germany, among other countries.
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, including to the USA, Italy, Canada, Mauritius, Nepal, Tibet, and China. Her painting "Divya Gyan" (The Enlightenment) was selected for the Art Prize at an international art event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
Publications
Chitralekha Singh has authored 56 published books, with 4 additional titles under publication and a stated target of 100 books. 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 the Lalit Kala Akademy UP Mahila Shashaktikaran Award, the Swasti Samman, recognitions from Sanskar Bharti, the DLA Award, the Rupayan Achievers Award, Kala Vibhushan, and the Gandhi Medal "Kala Ratna" award.
She is associated with numerous professional and cultural organisations, including Sanskar Bharati, Respect Age International, Mahila Shanti Sena, Rotary Club, Tria Agra Artist Association, Utkarsh Fankar Society, Aligarh, and International Business Women America. She has served as an Executive Council Member of the National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi, and as an Executive Council Member of Akashvani Radio, Agra.
Her painting "Divya Gyan" (The Enlightenment) was selected for the Art Prize at an international art event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
Philanthropy
Chitralekha Singh founded "Chitralekha: The Village of Art," a registered 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.