The third edition of the H.C. Rai Memorial ArtFest, themed ‘Impressions & Expressions’, opened to much acclaim today at the Tavern Hall, Gaiety Theatre in Shimla. The festival was inaugurated by Dr. Anurita Saxena, Principal of RKMV College, who was joined by an illustrious gathering of artists such as Jagjeet Nishat, Kewal Krishan Kamra, Prof. Him Chatterjee, Dr. Ranjan Kumar Mallik, Danny Balbir Singh, Timsi Gupta, Sayonee Chatterjee, Aditya Singh Thakur, Suneel Sinha, Sriniwas Joshi, President of Abhivyakti Dinesh Sharma, and Amala Rai, among other. More than an exhibition, the ArtFest serves as a vibrant tribute to the life and legacy of Prof. Harish Chandra Rai (1923–2018)—a pioneering artist, educator, and cultural visionary who laid the foundations for modern visual arts in Himachal Pradesh.
Dr. Saxena’s presence was especially touching, as she reflected on Prof. Rai’s role as RKMV’s founding Principal and commended Amala Rai’s devoted efforts in preserving her father’s heritage, vowing to further elevate the college’s Fine Arts curriculum. Her remarks celebrated Amala as an “ideal daughter,” and she reaffirmed her commitment to fostering the arts at RKMV.
A key moment of the inauguration was the release of “Rekhakan,” a book by Prof. Harishankar Sharma, further tracing the roots of art education initiated by Prof. Rai’s own foundational work in 1952. Art lovers visiting the festival can experience a diverse selection of works—ranging from portraits, sculptures, and textured landscapes to impressionistic studies of nature and rich expressions of culture on canvas.
The festival’s vibrancy was further heightened by the enthusiastic participation of emerging talents from RKMV, demonstrating the ongoing influence of Prof. Rai’s teachings. In a gracious gesture, 25% of artwork proceeds will be donated to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, Himachal Pradesh. The ArtFest will run through September 29, offering daily celebrations of creativity, community, and legacy.
