H.C. Rai Memorial ArtFest Concludes: Celebrating Women, Art & Stories

As the curtain was drawn on the art festival, eight women artists brought together diverse perspectives, personal journeys and creative interpretations of nature, heritage, memory and human experience.

The closing of the H.C. Rai Memorial ArtFest 2026 marked a celebration of artistic expression, women’s creativity and the enduring power of art to connect generations. Bringing together eight women artists — Sulakshana Arya, Tina Saxena, Veenita Dar, Sayonee Chatterjee, Somita Singh, Shivani Larzoo, Ruchika and Nandika Sharma — the festival offered a compelling glimpse into the many ways art can reflect individual journeys, cultural identities and the world around us.

Honouring the artistic legacy of Late Shri H.C. Rai, the ArtFest bridges established sensibilities with emerging voices, creating space for experimentation, reflection and dialogue. From delicate watercolours and nature-inspired compositions to intricate embroidery, explorations of human experience and paintings rooted in Himachali heritage, the exhibition celebrates the individuality of each artist while highlighting art’s ability to preserve memories, question perspectives and inspire new ways of seeing.

Tina Saxena: Art as a Practice of Mindfulness

Tina Saxena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her creative pursuits, drawing upon her background in English literature, fashion and modern applied psychology. An artist, photographer, poet, illustrator, novelist and educator, she explores the relationship between creativity, human behaviour and personal growth. Her engagement with watercolour is particularly reflective, offering a space for mindfulness, introspection and contemplation. Dividing her time between India and Italy, Tina finds inspiration in different cultures, landscapes, philosophical traditions and spiritual thought. Her creative practice reflects a larger interest in understanding the human experience and discovering meaning through observation and expression.

Somita Singh: Where Mathematics Meets Creativity

A Shimla-based artist and educator, Somita Singh brings together the precision of mathematics and the freedom of artistic expression. With postgraduate qualifications in Physics and Education, she has spent years teaching mathematics at Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, while continuing to pursue her passion for painting and design. Her creative sensibility reflects a keen eye for balance, composition and detail, enriched by the discipline of her academic background. Somita has participated in several art exhibitions, including the All-India Exhibition of Art at the State Museum, Shimla, the Summer Festival, Shimla, and national and international exhibitions. Her journey demonstrates how analytical thinking and artistic intuition can complement each other, creating a practice grounded in both structure and imagination.

Shivani Larzoo: Capturing the Spirit of the Himalayas

Based in Shimla, Shivani Larzoo draws inspiration from the natural splendour of the Himalayas and the quiet beauty of everyday life. Holding a master’s degree in Zoology, she brings a naturalist’s curiosity and careful observation to her artistic practice. Working in watercolours, coloured pencils and oils, she explores birds, wildlife, mountain landscapes and the architectural beauty of traditional temples. Her works reflect an appreciation not merely for the appearance of her subjects, but also for their character and spirit. Guided by simplicity and the belief that beauty exists in ordinary moments, Shivani encourages viewers to slow down, observe closely and discover the extraordinary within the familiar.

Sayonee Chatterjee: Turning Experiences into Stories on Canvas

Sayonee Chatterjee, a Shimla-based artist, photographer and travel enthusiast originally from Kolkata, brings a distinctive narrative sensibility to her art. Before pursuing art full-time, she spent nearly two decades in the development sector, working across gender, health, nutrition, technology and livelihoods. Her professional experience in behaviour-change communication involved discovering and telling stories of social change — an approach that continues to inform her visual work. Largely self-taught, Sayonee regards nature and her surroundings as her classroom. Her paintings explore the intersections of memory, culture, people and place, often evolving from an emotion, an idea or a question. Open to experimenting with different media and techniques, she embraces artistic exploration as an ongoing journey of discovery.

Ruchika: Preserving Himachal’s Heritage Through Art

Ruchika’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of Himachal Pradesh. Through her paintings of traditional textiles, including intricately woven pattus, Himachali caps and embroidered shawls, she documents a rich visual heritage shaped by generations of craftsmanship. Her carefully observed compositions celebrate the colours, patterns, textures and folds of these cultural artefacts, recognising them as carriers of memory, identity and belonging. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, her works raise important questions about cultural preservation in a rapidly changing world. By drawing attention to the women who have woven, embroidered and safeguarded these traditions, Ruchika transforms familiar textiles into powerful expressions of collective history. Her art serves as both a tribute to Himachali craftsmanship and an invitation to preserve the stories embedded in its cultural fabric.

The artists demonstrate that there is no single path to creative expression. Some have built their practices around years of professional experience, others have discovered art through personal transitions, while emerging artists continue to explore new techniques and possibilities. Together, their work highlights the importance of nurturing women’s artistic voices, preserving cultural heritage and creating platforms where creativity can flourish.

Ultimately, the ArtFest honours the legacy of Late Shri H.C. Rai by reaffirming the enduring value of art — its ability to preserve what matters, express what words cannot and inspire new generations to look at the world with greater curiosity and imagination.