H. C. Rai:
- Name: H. C. Rai (Harish Chandra Rai)
- Born on 25th May, 1923 at Bareilly
- Graduated from Lucknow Arts College 1947
- Studied at J. J. School of Arts, Mumbai. Stood first in its 1st Examination in entire state (at that time called Bombay Province) 1960
- Founder & Principal, Govt. Fine Arts College, Shimla 1961-1979
- Awarded Life Time Achievement Award by Himachal Government
- Was offered twice Veteran Artist Award but did not accept it
- Publication: A Shimla Story: through sketches (on spot sketches of old and heritage buildings of Shimla built during Raj)
- His paintings were hanged in the historical Summit Hall created for Indira-Bhutto Summit in Shimla and continue to be there till date. The whole place where, Bhutto and Benazir stayed were also decorated by Rai’s paintings
- Was Founder member of Himachal Language, Art and Culture Academy
- Was member Radio Advisory Committee & Education Programme, Aakashwaani Shimla
- Was member of Board of Studies in Fine Arts and Research Degree Committee of Kanpur, Merrut and KurukshetraUniverities
- Was Conveyner of Art & Craft in Himachal Education Board
- Was specialist member of Punjab, Rajasthan and Himachal Public Service Commission
- Read paper in a National Conference on Art at prestigious premier Indian Institute for Advance Studies which was later published as a book
- Participated in National Seminar on “Sequential Art Course” for one month at Sir. J. J. School of Art, Bombay in Oct. 1971
- Read papers in seminars and conferences on Art in different universities in India
- Former C. M. Punjab, Capt. Amrinder Singh Commissioned a large size painting of a Pakistan Post which he captured during Indo-Pak War which is now hanging in his regiment office
- Has conducted many solo exhibitions in Shimla
- Served Army during World War II as an Artist
- Has written hundreds of versus in BrijBhasha and Avadhi
- Has been an ace violinist
[FBW]