Taj Mahal

Short Description

S.L. Haldankar
Medium: Watercolour on Paper
Size: 13 1/2 n x 18 1/2 S. L. Haldankar (Kalamaharshi) showed a keen interest in art since his childhood. He enrolled himself in the Sir J. J. School of Art to pursue his dreams. 1907 onwards he started participating in open exhibitions and competitions and won innumerable medals and prizes. Glow of Hope, alternately titled "Woman with the Lamp" is a painting, a watercolor masterpiece by S.L. Haldankar. It is now housed in the Jaychama Rajendra Art Gallery at the Jaganmohan Palace in Mysuru, Karnataka. It is one of the most prized possessions as well as a major attraction at the gallery. He sent his paintings to UK and won two of the total four of the Commendation Certificates at an annual exhibition organized by The Royal British Society of Art, London. In 1953/54 a portrait painted by him titled, "Swatmanand” was acquired by Academy of Art, Moscow, USSR for their collection. An Italian art critic considered him to be one of the three top water colourists in the world. He founded The Haldankar's Fine Art Institute, in 1908. Along with some artist friends, he also established The Art Society of India in 1918 and was the President for several years. On Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru's request he painted a life sized portrait of Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya for the Parliament House. In 1962, Fellowship was bestowed upon him by the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. Dr. Rajendra Prasad felicitated him in 1964 and awarded him the title of "Kalamaharshi".