Shail Choyal (B. 1945)

Born 1945 in Kota, Shail completed his M.A. in Painting from University of Udaipur in 1969 and received a British Council Scholarship to study Printmaking at the Slade College of Art, London during 1975-76. He did his Ph.D. from Nathdwara School of Painting in 1980. In 1968 he attended a Fresco & Mural Course at Banasthali Vidyapeeth. He has participated in several solo and group shows in India and abroad including Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre in 2001; Malayasia in 2000; Sydney in 1997; Osaka in 1994 Spain in 1991 and 92; Paris and Japan in 1990; France Cuba & Latvia in 1989; Lisbon in 1985; U.S.A. in 1985; Netherlands in 1983; Japan in 1980, 1985 and 1990 and London in 1976. He has been honoured with several awards including Gold Medal in M.A. (Drawing & Painting); Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi Award for Printmaking in 1969; and for painting; All India Kalidas Samman, from M P in 1970; Bombay Art Society Award in 1971, 1973; Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta Award in 1972, Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi award for Printmaking in 1976 and 1978; Bombay Art Society Award for Printmaking in 1977 and 1978; President of India Sh. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Award by AIFACS for painting in 1979; National Award by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi in 1982; ADOGI Mini Print International Award for printmaking, Barcelona, Spain in 1991. He lives and works in Udaipur.City of Udaipur, with its glorious ancient Rajput architecture, lakes, hills, gardens and robust people with brilliant colours have always been my prime concern. Rigid angular form in horizontal and vertical lines punctuated with curvilinear motifs of doors, windows, still bluer lakes, domes and turrets all fill me with strong sense of nostalgia. For years, I exploited the visual references of my lovely city to project my own personal world that has been mystical and real as well. In these works, I aim trying to project a dramatic tension through juxtaposition of the allegorical with the real and to attain ethereal and fantasy. I shall go on fathoming the aesthetic treasures yet unearthed.Rajasthan has been the land of enchanting landscape, and people in gay moods. Udaipur (my city) is a jewel that shines in the exotic land for its natural and man created splendor. The glorious Rajput architecture, green hills, clear blue skies and still bluer lakes all provide me exciting ways of living with the form and colour. Beauty of this city has always influenced me and my work from the very beginning and I could easily relate my entire work to the traditional miniature schools of Rajasthan.P.N.Choyal?was a celebrated senior contemporary artist from Udaipur. He was born on January 5, 1924 and started painting seriously since 1948, after completing Fine Art Diploma and D.T.T. from School of Arts & Crafts, Jaipur. He attended the Slade College of Arts in London in 1961-62 after completing Government Diploma (Painting) from Sir J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai, 1953.In his illustrious career, he achieved several awards and honors for his work. He was awarded the prestigious National Award by Lalit Kala Akademy in 1988 and was a recipient of Rajasthan Lalit Kala Academy award 6 times in his life. He was also honored with the title of ?Kala Ratna? in 2007 by Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi.He considered art a sort of meditation or Yoga. His artworks changed from time to time with every college he attended, with every change in his life, with his age and with his wisdom and his view of subjects.About his art and artworks he wrote, ?Slowly and gradually I started realizing that subjects are meaningless. They are only for motivation. Actual realization comes with the fusion of inner and external world, when they become one with the artist himself?.P.N Choyal is survived by his son Shail Choyal, daughter in law Surjeet Choyal, Grandson Akash Choyal and Charul.UdaipurTimes.com offers deep condolences on the demise of one of the greatest artists of all times. Udaipur and the whole world will always remember and respect P.N.Choyal and his artworks.