Virendra Rahi

Virendra Singh Rahi, widely known as V.S. Rahi (born 9th August 1929) is an Indian artist and teacher known for Indian traditional art. He studied painting under Padma Shri Ram Gopal Vijayvargiya at Maharaja College of Art, Jaipur from 1947 to 1948. He then went to Shantiniketan where he studied painting and murals under Padma Bhushan NandaLal Bose at VishvaBharati, Shantiniketan from 1948 to 1953.
A close disciple of Sumitra Nandan Pant, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, and Devendra Satyarthi, his writings and poems have been published in many Indian journals and newspapers along with his paintings and sketches. In 1988, he was invited by The Institute of Education, Centre of Multicultural Education, and the University of London to talk and showcase the Indian style of painting. He was awarded the “Kala Shree” award and title by the All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi (1988), “Maharana Sajjan Singh Award” for his meritorious contribution to the field of art by Maharana Mewar Foundation, Udaipur (1989), "Parishad Samman" by Sahitya Kala Parishad (2001) and a “Special Honor” (Indian Art) at First International Biennale, Beijing, China (2003)
==Biography==
Rahi was born in Kharela, Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh. His father Thakur Gopal Singh was a schoolmaster in a local school and also a close associate of Munshi Premchand and Dewan Shatrughan Singh (a freedom fighter in the area). His father was actively involved in the freedom movement with many other freedom fighters in the area. Rahi's mother, Raj Kunwar Bai was with her husband shoulder to shoulder in the struggle for freedom. The family had to face the wrath of the British Empire and consequently face imprisonment. Thus Rahi inherited the literary environment, an artistic surge, and the revolutionary fervor from a young age.
His journey began as a young freedom fighter when he joined the freedom movement. He came in contact with great freedom fighters like Pandit Parmanand Jhansi, Lotan Singh Verma, and Swami Brahmanand and was associated with them throughout the journey. He took part in many freedom movements in the region and was arrested but escaped and fled away.
During this period, Rahi left home at an early age and went to Ajmer where he came in contact with the traditional court painter of Alwar state, the Late Ustad Ram Sahai. Impressed by Rahi's talent, Sahai advised Rahi to go to Jaipur. In Jaipur, he met Ram Gopal Vijayvargiya and Shailendra Nath Dey. He joined the Maharaja College of Art, Jaipur to study painting under Ram Gopal Vijayvargiya. As a student Rahi had to work as a laborer and storekeeper to meet his financial needs. However, during his study in Jaipur, he won several prizes and passed the diploma in First Division. He received the Gold Medal for the best painting in the All India Exhibition from the Maharani of Jaipur Gayatri Devi. Shri Shailendra Nath Dey De was impressed by his artistic talent and recommended him to Nandlal Bose.
 
On reaching Shantiniketan, he found that the admissions were already closed. But this did not deter Rahi from his determination to learn under the guidance of Nandlal Bose. He was without any funds but waited for a month to be admitted into Kala Bhawan. When Kala Guru NandLal Bose came to know this, he not only admitted him to Kala Bhawan but also paid his fees for the admission. Later he was awarded a scholarship to study in Shantiniketan. Under Kalaguru Nandlal Bose, Rahi mastered the different styles of painting like the Bengal style, the Ajanta Fresco style, Wash Temperas, and the miniature style of painting and graduated from Shantiniketan in 1953. 
Rahi held his first one-man show in Shantiniketan in 1953. The title of “Rahi” was given by Devendra Satyarthi during the Kota Adhiveshan in 1953 when Virendra Singh was doing a mural for the Hindi SahityaSammelan. After this Virendra Singh began to be popularly known as Virendra Singh “Rahi”.
 
In 1954-55, Rahi moved to Delhi as an art teacher at a school. He also joined the All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society as its life member. Later he served as its Vice President and Treasurer for many years. During this period, he held many one-man shows and participated in many group shows in India and abroad. His one-man shows were inaugurated by many dignitaries who also became admirers of his work. Dignitaries like V.V Giri, GulzariLal Nanda, Dr. Karan Singh, Bhagwat Jha Azad, Satya Narayan Sinha, M.S Randhawa (ICS), Devendra Satyarthi, K.R Narayanan, R. Venkataraman, Indu Prakash Singh, Laxmi Mall Singhvi, MuraliManohar Joshi, Satish Gujral, H.L Kapur (Lt. Governor of Delhi), Vijay Kapoor (Lt. Governor of Delhi), Bhabesh Sanyaland many others admired and felicitated Virendra Singh Rahi on many occasions.
Virendra Singh Rahi was featured in Who’s Who In India, 1985 Business Press Directory amongst 6000 chosen personalities from the country as worthy of inclusion.
On 2nd May 2004, Late Prime Minister Shri AtalBihari Vajpayee released a nationwide campaign in many nationalnewspapers of India in which he became part of the Prime Minister's selection as an intellectual in the field ofart. As a close associate of the late PM, Virendra Singh’s poetry was appreciated by Shri Vajpayee Ji. Rahi was also a Senior Advisor to the Art Syllabus Committee, at the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
==Artistic Style and Influences==
His style and subjects are inspired by Indian mythology, the frescoes of Ajanta and Ellora, India Miniatures, and the folk culture of India. His works narrate stories from Gita Govinda, Ramayana, Mahabharat, and Rajasthani tales.
==Comments==
Many personalities describe Rahi’s works as truly Indian.
 
Kala Guru Nandlal Bose wrote :
“Shri Virendra Singh is an accomplished artist of RabindraNath Tagore's Ashram at Santiniketan. Among the group of artists that Santiniketan has in recent years turned out, Virendra Singh holds an eminently distinct place. Lovers of art will surely appreciate his technique and the wealth and grace of his colors. He has shown a special aptitude for the characteristic of medieval art. His bold flow of lines, variety of subjects, and new techniques claim special admiration of connoisseurs.”
 
Dr. M.S Randawa wrote :
“I am delighted to have seen the exhibition of V.S. Rahi's paintings. Rahi has developed an individual style of his own. He has been able to convey to us the spirit of Rajasthan, its people, and its places in a striking manner. I also like his portrait of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. As a token of my appreciation of his work, I have purchased some of his paintings for Chandigarh Museum. A true test of appreciation of paintings is the willingness to purchase them.”
 
Late Mukandi Lal wrote :
“I am very happy that our country can still produce artists who can follow the tradition of Rajput Painters in Rajasthan where there was a pure Indian style. Virendra Singh Rahi, who is a pupil of NandLal Bose, and was trained as an artist at Shantiniketan, Kala Bhawan, is reviving the Rajput tradition. His drawings and par are proof of his artistic Indian tradition. His works, like that of Kripal Singh Shekhawat, prove that our Arts still follow in the steps of their ancestors. He fills a vacuum which has been created by the neglect of the Indian tradition and style by most artists.”
Late Charles Fabriwrote :
“Rajasthani paintings by Virendra Singh Rahi which are now being exhibited at the AIFACS Gallery are very interesting. “RajputiShaan” comes to one's mind when entering the hall to view these traditional paintings on canvas. The style, stories, feelings, and approach is hundred percent Indian.
But it does not mean there is no wealth and grace in his Indian style. In fact, the stamp of craftsmanship, warmth, and evocative romanticism is visible on each of the exhibits that are on display.
In his work, Rahi attempts to depict the stories and traditions with which the culture and life of Rajasthan are associated. That is why we find among the subjects such ideas as “Hameer Hath”, “DholaMaru”, “MarwarJanani, “Jai Janani” and other works.
The colors, lines, movements, and sentiments behind the canvases are so traditional and Indian that it does not require any commentary. Rahi proves to be a good storyteller in colors.”
==Awards and Recognition==
In 1988 he was awarded the title of “Kala Shree” by All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society, New Delhi, “Maharaja Sajjan Singh Award” for his meritorious contribution to art by the MaharanaMewar Foundation, Udaipur, 1989, “ParishadSamman” by Sahitya Kala Parishad, 2001, “Special Honor” at the first international biennale, Beijing, China, 2003, Maharani Gayatri Devi Medal, Jaipur School of Art, 1948.
He painted for many public and government events. 
* Painted murals for All India Congress Session, Jaipur, 1949.
* Mural for Hindi SahityaSammelan, Kota, 1950.
* Murals for Congress Session, West Bengal, 1954.
* Murals for World Affairs Exhibition, 1956.
* Designed gates for Sarvodaya Exhibition, 1960.
* Designed gates for Wardha Book Exhibition, 1962.
* Painted Mahatma Gandhi for Central Institute of Hindi, Agra, 1992.
Category:1929 births
Category:People from Uttar Pradesh
Category:Indian people
Category:Artists
Category:Teachers