After more than thirty years of quiet, the vibrant legacy of Prof. Sukhvir Sanghal returns to the limelight in The Silent Canvas Speaks Again, a solo retrospective that reintroduces a visionary master to a new generation. Curated by his granddaughter, Priyam Chandra, this exhibition is both a personal tribute and a cultural revival, revealing a lifetime of artistic devotion steeped in philosophy, aesthetics, and the essence of Indian identity.
Born in 1914 in Muzaffarnagar, Sanghal’s creative journey was deeply interwoven with India’s freedom struggle. Arrested during the non-cooperation movement, his early experiences of patriotism and cultural pride left an indelible mark on his art. He honed his craft at the Government School of Arts and Crafts, Lucknow, where he was mentored by legends like A.K. Halder and Abanindranath Tagore. Though rooted in the Bengal School tradition, Sanghal developed a distinctive voice—most notably through his pioneering wash technique. Drawing from India’s classical rasa theory, his method captured profound emotional states through nuanced textures and symbolic use of colour, making his work both timeless and resonant.
The exhibition presents a rare and comprehensive view of Sanghal’s oeuvre: delicate wash paintings, lacquer work on wood, tapestries on khadi, silk compositions, portraits, landscapes, and sculptures. Standout pieces such as Departure of Rama and Marriage Procession—once celebrated at national exhibitions and housed in royal collections—are on display. Also featured is the iconic Thou Art Dust, to Dust Returnest, acquired by King George V for the Royal Collection.
Yet, this exhibition goes beyond technical mastery—it reveals the depth of a life dedicated to cultural service. Prof. Sanghal was not only an artist but also a philosopher, educator, freedom fighter, and humanitarian. In 1938, he founded Kala Bharti in Prayagraj, where he nurtured generations of students in fine arts, classical music, and dance. Among his mentees were future Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Vishwanath Pratap Singh. He also served as an advisor to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on matters of art and heritage.
Sanghal’s intellectual pursuits extended to authorship. His 1985 publication Bhartiya Chitrakala Paddhati remains a significant contribution to Indian art theory, while his unpublished magnum opus, Evolution of Art and Artist (in three volumes), reflects his deep engagement with aesthetics and art history.
The Silent Canvas Speaks Again is more than a retrospective—it is a rediscovery of an artistic voice that once shaped India’s cultural conscience. Through each brushstroke and motif, Sanghal’s silent yet powerful legacy comes alive, inviting viewers to witness a narrative where tradition, thought, and emotion coalesce. Once muted by time, his canvas now speaks with clarity, dignity, and enduring relevance.
