Jalandhar hosts Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi’s art show for the first time

Jalandhar marked a cultural milestone with the inauguration of the annual art exhibition by Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi (CLKA), hosted for the first time in the city through a joint collaboration between Rajeshwari Kala Sangam and Dr Stya Paul Art Gallery, Virsa Vihar.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Dhanpreet Kaur, Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar, who attended as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, CLKA Chairman Bheem Malhotra shared that the artworks on display were selected from over 500 entries, with only the finest pieces featured in this unique showcase.

He noted that this is CLKA’s first exhibition in Punjab and expressed gratitude for the warm reception. Malhotra also congratulated budding artists and encouraged them to continue participating in such artistic endeavours.

Enhancing the evening’s cultural ambiance, a duet classical dance performance by Himani and Gargi on “Araj Suno Banwari” captivated the audience. Their graceful portrayal of the divine story of Krishna, through rhythm and expression, earned a heartfelt round of applause.

Dr Sucharita Sharma, Director of Apeejay Education and Dr Stya Paul Art Gallery, highlighted the rare opportunity to witness the creativity of both senior and emerging artists from the tricity—Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula—on a single platform. The exhibition features a diverse range of works including paintings, sculptures, digital art, graphic prints, and photography, reflecting both the beauty of nature and contemporary social themes.

Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur expressed deep appreciation for the creative brilliance on display. She congratulated the young artists and praised Apeejay College for its commendable initiative, expressing hope for more such events in the future.

The event was attended by several prominent figures including Dr Neerja Dhingra, Principal, Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar; Seema Chopra, Director, Punjab Kesari Ramesh Chander Memorial Trust; Kanwal Pal, Secretary, CLKA; artists Reena Bhatnagar, Gurmeet Goldie, Madan Lal; and Shilpi Arora, Office Administrator, CLKA.

In her vote of thanks, Dr Neerja Dhingra described the exhibition as a golden opportunity for Jalandhar’s art lovers to experience the richness of the art world under one roof. She extended gratitude to all contributors for making the event a success.

The exhibition will remain open to visitors until September 6, daily from 11.00 AM to 7.00 PM. Dr Sharma also acknowledged the dedicated efforts of artists Anil Gupta and Basudev Biswas, who played a pivotal role in organising the event.