In-fond Memory

Indian Express
Monday, 5th January 2009
By Ridhi Sharma

Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi remembers the friend, artist, painter, and guru…..Manjit Bawa.

This Sunday morning meet could well have carried on into the night for there’s so much about this man that the city had to share. Memories of the late Manjit bawa as a dear friend to those of him as a teacher, his love for Sufi music to his concern for social events………… there were after all so many facets to this legendary artist, who passed away a few days earlier after being in coma for three years. The condolence meeting was organized by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi at its office in Sector 34, State Library Building on Sunday morning.

Well- known critic Nirupma Dutt shared the art and times of the artist with the audience consisting of various personality from different walks of life who gathered to pay their homepage. Dutt chronicled Manjit’s life and art from the point of view of a friend as well as that of an art critic. She also put in perspective his place in the history of modern Indian art. “He wanted to paint the sky red since he loved the colour. He was a brave painter who had the courage to follow his convictions without regard of the popular trends. We will remember him for his energy and the simplicity which reflected in his work,” Dutt remarked as she added, “Birds and animals were recurrent features in his paintings, either alone or in human company.”

Another friend and renowned city-based artist Shiv Singh shared the fun time spent with Bawa. “He was a fun loving person. He always used to sing the song ‘Har charkhe de gere ve main tenu yaad kardi’ and now we miss him a lot but he will live in our hearts. He was so attached to his roots and had immense love and respect for Punjab,” said Singh. Further on, Diwan Manna, chairman Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, shared multi faceted aspects of Bawa’s personality which included his love for Sufi music, his concern for social events and his unusual organization skills. “India truly has lost a very significant artist who was at the peak of his artistic journey when he fell ill. There was still a lot to come from his brush,” spoke Manna.

Others who shared their personal encounters with the artist and the respect they have for his art included Viren Tanwar, Malkit Singh and Jagdish Garcha. Theatre personality Gurcharn Channi, Secretary Punjab Arts Council Rajpal Singh, artist S. Raj Kumar, novelist Neel Kamal Puri, radio announcer Vijay Vashishy, secretary Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi Ravinder Sharma were among those were present to pay tribute to the artist.
(with inputs by Ridhi Sharma)

Condolence Meeting In Memory Of Manjit Bawa

Chandigarh Tribune
Monday, 5th January 2009

The Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi at its office in the sector 34, State Library Building held a condolence meeting in memory of eminent artist, painter Manjit Bawa, who passed away a few days back after being in coma for three years. Renowned art critic Nirupma Dutt shared the art of Manjit bawa with audience consisting of various personalities form different walks of life, who gathered to pay homage to the legendary artist. She chronicled Manjit’s life and art from the point of view of a friend as well as that of an art critic. She put in perspective his place in the history of the modern Indian art.

Diwan Manna, chairman, the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi , shared the mult—faceted aspects of Bawa’s personality, his love of Sufi music, his concern for social events an dhis unusual organizational skills. Others who spoke about their personal encounters with the artist and respect they have for his art include Viren Tanwar, Malkit Singh, Jagdish Garcha and Shiv Singh. Theatre personality Gurcharan Chani, secretary the Punjab Arts Council Rajpal Singh, artist S. Raj Kumar, novelist Neel Kamal Puri, radio announce Vijay Vashisht, secretary Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi Ravinder Sharma ware among those present to pay tribute to the artist. Neelam Mann Singh Chowdhury, Dr. Atamjit, P Khurana and Vivek Atray sent their condolences.

We Remember…

HT City
Monday, 5th January 2009

Friends Admires In City Pay Tribute To Artist Manjit Bawa.
Friends, admires and artists of the city shared with each other their cherished memories of Manjit Bawa, the eminent artist, who passed away recently. Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi had called the condolence meet at its office in State Library- 34.

Journalist and art critic Nurupama Dutt, a friend of the late artist, shared with those present the life of Bawa as she knew it. She also talked about his place in modern Indian art.

The others who shared their memories of meeting Bawa included artists Viren Tanwar, Malkit Singh, Jagdish Garcha and Shiv Singh. Also present were thespian Gurcharan Channi, Rajpal Singh, secretary Punjab Arts Council, artist S. Raj Kumar writer neel Kamal Puri, radio announcer Vijay Vashisht and Ravinder Sharma, secretary Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi.

Diwan Manna, chairman, Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, talked about Bawa’s personality, especially his love Sufi music, concern for social issues and his organizational skills. There was still a lot to come from his brush, said Manna.