Ram Chandra Shukla was an Indian painter and art critic.
Early life
Shukla was born in a small village called Shukulpura of district Basti, Uttar Pradesh in a farmer's family. Soon after that his father shifted to a prominent, cultural city, Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh, where he grew up. He graduated from the Allahabad University and studied painting under a renowned Indian painter of the Bengal School, Kshitindra Nath Majumdar. He is honoured as "Proud Past Alumni" of Allahabad University by Allahabad University Alumni Association.
Career
Shukla joined Banaras Hindu University as a teacher of art in the Department of Painting. He retired as a professor and the Head of Department of Painting of Banaras Hindu University in the year 1985. Subsequently, he shifted to his native place, Allahabad, and started his studio there. Shukla does not try to sell his paintings; he simply wants to go in the depth of art itself and work as a spiritual painter, enjoying the bliss of art. He is known for his experiment with brush and colours. He developed various indigenous style of painting of which most important are Kashi Shailee, Samikshavad and intuitive paintings.
Kashi Shailee paintings
Shukla used to paint in the water color wash technique prevalent at the time. Thereafter, he began to take interest in the folk paintings of India, particularly Benaras folk art and miniature paintings of India. It was during that period that he with other drawing students developed a new school of Indian contemporary painting called Kashi Shailee, based on folk art and miniature paintings.
Samikshavad
Shukla painted many forms and styles of paintings, but he was in search of an indigenous style of modern painting in India, which he developed during his stay in Benaras Hindu University in the year 1974, called Samikshavad. This style is now well known in India. By this style, the artist tends to expose the corruption prevalent in the society and politics, with a language that is symbolic and satirical.
Intuitive paintings
Shukla's latest experiment has taken a different turn and he now calls his recent paintings intuitive paintings which express his inner spiritual feelings and experiences. These paintings have been made in the new medium of coloured markers and sketch pens. They are small paintings and can be called modern miniature paintings.
Personal life
Shukla lived in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, with his wife, Kala Rani Shukla and his children and grandchildren. He was the father of five sons and two daughters. His work is displayed at his paternal house in Allahabad which is now converted in a museum as R.C.Shukla Research Center for Visual Science and Arts.
Books by Shukla
Rekhawali, published by Kala Prakashan, Allahabad, 1951.
Kala Aur Aadhunik Pravityan , published by Hindi Samiti, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh, India, II Edition 1963.
Naveen Bhartiya Kala Shikshan Padhatti , published by Kitab Mahal, Allahabad, India, 1958.
Chitrakala ka Rasaswadan , published by Hindi Pracharak Pusakalaya, Varanasi, India, 1962.
Kala Ka Darshan , published by Karona Art Publisher, Meerut, India, 1964.
Kala Prasang , published by Karona Art Publisher, Meerut, India, 1965.
Aadhunik Kala-Samikshavad , published by Kala Prakashan, Allahabad, India, 1994.
Aadhunik Chitrakala , published by Sahitya Sangam, Allahabad, India, 2006.
Paschhimi Aadhunik Chitrakar , published by Sahitya Sangam, Allahabad, India, 2006.
Shilp-Lok , published by Kitab Ghar, Patna, India, 1953.
"Kala Bhushan Prof. Ram Chandra Shukla: Krititva Aur Vyaktitva – Ek Samikshatmak Addhyan" – doctoral dissertation by Rakesh Kumar Singh, CCS University, Meerut, India, 2001.
"Samikshavad Ka Vaicharik, Tatvik avum Samajik Addhayan Professor Ram Chandra Shukla Ki Kala Ke Sandarbha Mein" - doctoral dissertation by Kanchan Sinha, Allahabad University.
Other references
Samkalin Bhartiya Kala by Ram Viranjan, published by Nirmal Book Agency, Kurukshetra, India, 2003.
Banaras ki Chitrakala by Dr. H.N. Misra, published by Kala Prakashan, Varanasi, India, 2002.
Bharatiya Chitrakala – Parampara aur Aadhunikta ka Antradwand by Dr. S.B.L. Saxena and Dr. Anand Lakhtakiya, published by Saran Prakashan, Bareili, India, 2004.
Allahabad ke Chitrakar by Laxmikant Verma, published by Allahabad Sangrahalaya, Allahabad, India, 2000.
Chitrakala Mein Naya Andolan Samikshavad , by Anurag Chaturvedi, Dharmyug 22 February 1981.
Bharatma kala Andolan Samikshavad , by Surendraraj Bhattarai, Kalakkriti Kathmandu in Nepal.
"Artists must look beyond politics", Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 16-1-79.
"Paintings with purpose", Evening News, Delhi, 19-1-79.
"Bid to point social criticism", Hindustan Times, New Delhi, 22-1-79.
Varanasi Cultural News From India, New Delhi, Volume XX, Number 3, 1979.
The Allahabad Idea of Art, Northern India Patrika, Allahabad, 25, 3, 1987.
