| About The Artist Vishnu Narain Agarwal |
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| My Guru: LATE SHRI BADRI NATH KAPOOR |
| Shri Badri Nath Kapoor ji had a treasure of knowledge about paintings, Calligraphy and antiques. He belonged to Lucknow and was a renowned antique dealer.
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Learning
I learnt the art of miniature paintings under Shri Badri Nath ji’s able guidance for about 10 years from 1965 – 1974. During this period I mastered the original ancient styles and techniques of Persian, Mughal and folk style of paintings. I also mastered Islamic Calligraphy in particular the KHATE-E-TUGRA |
| I also learnt preparation of natural colours from vegetables, minerals, earth and Lapislaizuala (a semi precious stone) used in paintings. I also learnt preparation of HALKARI of gold and silver leaves. These skills have been extensively used by me in all my art works. |
I have extensively studied many books and manuscripts such as:
Sanskrit : Balmiki Ramayana, Literature of Mahakavi Kalidas, Gatha Saptshati (Prakrit Bhasha) (MahakaviHaal (Satvahana)), Sringar Manjiri (Maharaja Harshvardhana), Geet Govindam (Jaidev), Amrukshatkam, Bhartarhari Shatkam, etc. |
| Brij Bhasha : Rasik Priya, Kavi Priya (MahaKavi Keshavdas), Bihari Satsai (Mahakavi Bihari Lal), Poetry Literature by Matiram and Ghananand, etc. |
| Islamic: Shahnama, Khamsa-e-nizamee, Huffta-u-rang, Rubayet-e-Umar Khayam, etc. |
| The themes and concepts from these literatures have influenced my work and has been successfully applied in my creations. |
Experience
For over 35 years, I have created paintings in Persian, Mughal, Hill Region Folk (Kangra and Gulair) styles. My work also includes Company and Patna Bazaar Styles and Islamic Calligraphy (Khate-e-Tugra). |
Teaching Programme for New Generation
I was invited to conduct various training programmes for young emerging artists under Apprenticeship Training Scheme (1-yr schedule), patronized by the Ministry of Textiles, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Government of India since 1990. |
| A “Special Handicrafts Training Project” is also conducted by the Ministry of Textiles, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Government of India, under “Guru Shishya Parampara”, during 2004-2005. This Programme is being sanctioned by the Honorable President of India. |
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| Achievements and Awards |
| 1980 |
U.P. STATE AWARD |
Miniature Painting of Potraits of Last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar and his Queen Begum Zeenut Mahal.
On : Ivory Plates |
1991 |
NATIONAL AWARD
(President Award, Once in a Life. For special devotion to secure the ancient Art and Craft of India). |
Miniature Painting of Rawana (the King of Lanka) lifting Kailash Parvat in proud.
On : Old Hand Made Paper |
| 1992 |
KALA NIDHI AWARD |
On Exhibition of Collection of Fine Miniature Painting at Suraj Kund Crafts Mela. |
| 2002 |
YOUTH HOSTEL RATNA |
Conferred by the Youth Hostel Association of India (Shan-e-Avadh Ekai, Lucknow). |
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| Participations |
| I have been regularly invited to participate in several solo shows and exhibitions. Some of the recent ones are: |
| 1990 |
Exhibition in U.P. Pavallion, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. |
Organized by Indian International Trade Fare, Govt. of India. |
| 1990 |
Participated in Craft Bazaar 90 in Madras (Chennai). |
Organized by DC(H), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India. |
| 1992 |
Participated in Suraj Kund Craft Mela. |
Organized by DC(H), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India. |
| 1993 |
1-month Exhibition and Programme‘GRAMJHAKI’ Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. |
Organized by DC(H), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India. |
| 1994 |
Workshop at Indore Fine Arts College. |
Organized by South Central Zone, Cultural Center, Nagpur. |
| 1994 |
Participated in Suraj Kund Craft Mela. |
Organized by DC(H), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India. |
| 1995 |
Participated in Craft Bazaar in Trivendrum. |
Organized by DC(H), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India. |
| 1996 |
Exhibition at Lalit Kala Academy Gallery, New Delhi. |
Organized by Deptt. Of Culture, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Govt. of India and North Central Zone Cultural Center, Allahabad. |
| 1998 |
Exhibition at North Central Zone Cultural Center, Allahabad. |
Organized by North Central Zone Cultural Center, Allahabad. |
| 1999 |
Solo Exhibition on Calligraphy and Miniature Paintings at Gallery d’Art, Lucknow. |
Organized by INTACH, Lucknow Chapter. |
| 2003 |
Demonstration & Exhibition at Delhi Haat, New Delhi. |
Organized by DC(H), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India. |
| 2004 (Mar 25- Apr 3) |
Demonstration & Exhibition at SEARS (Departmental Store, Toronto), Canada. |
Organized by DC(H), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India. |
| 2004 (May) |
Participated in Exhibition (Heritage Festival) at Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi. |
Organized by DC(H), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India and ITC, India. |
| 2006(July) |
Indian Technology & trade Fair-Cum-Buyer Seller Meet at Santiago, Chile. |
Organized by UPICO & DC(H), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India. |
| 2013 (July) |
Exhibition (Lucknow Ki Sarzameen) on Calligraphy and Miniature Paintings at Lalit Kala Academy Lucknow on Lucknow Chapter. |
Organized by INTACH & Lalit Kala Academy. |
| 2013 (Sep) |
Workshop (demonstration & lectures) on INDIAN MINIATURE PAINTINGS at National Museum Institute
(NMI),New Delhi
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Organized by NMI( National Museum Institute) History of Art,,Conservation
and Museology (Deemed to be University, under Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India)
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| Creations |
My creations have earned high appreciation from domestic as well as foreign collectors and buyers.
My miniature paintings and Tugra are in great demand in USA, UK, France and Islamic Countries like Kuwait, Jordan, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. These are regularly sold by H.H.E.C. and C.C.I.C. of India Ltd. |
| Two large Islamic Calligraphy Paintings of size 5’X8’ on Hand Made Paper, used Halkari of Pure Gold and Hand Made Colours are Exhibited in Hotel MAURYA SHERATON, New Delhi. |
| The honorable Governor of U.P. presented my State Award Painting on Ivory to the honorable Prime Minister if Vietnam in 1980. |
Special Creation:
Dr. Mansoor Hasan (renowned Heart Specialist) has a large collection of my paintings in Mughal Shaili related to the activities of his ancestors. These were created based on themes captured from the narratives made by Dr. Mansoor Hasan regarding his ancestors who were the descendents of Mughals. |
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