Lifetime Achievement Award for Gulam Mohammed Sheikh

Vadodara, 13^th December

Celebrations begin as esteemed artist, poet, and art critic Gulam Mohammed Sheikh is bestowed with the prestigious Legends of India: Lifetime Achievement Award. Born in 1937 in Gujarat, Sheikh has been a luminary in the world of Indian art for over four decades. His remarkable contributions earned him the Padma Shri in 1983 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014.

Sheikh’s influence extends globally, with his works featured in prominent exhibitions and esteemed collections, including the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi, Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Peabody Essex Museum in the USA. Notably, his versatility as an artist, teacher, and writer has garnered widespread acclaim. He is distinguished alum of M S University of Baroda where he completed MA from Faculty of Fine Arts in 1961. He received ARCA from Royal College of Art, London in 1966. At age 86, he lives with his artist-wife Nilima in Vadodara.

Gulam Mohammed Sheikh’s oeuvre is characterized by its intricate layers of references, intertwining literature, art history, politics, and autobiography. His notable work, “Gandhi and Gama (2014),” envisions a historic confrontation between Vasco da Gama and Mahatma Gandhi, reflecting on the colonial narrative in India.

Awards adorn Sheikh’s illustrious career, including the National Award from Lalit Kala Akademi in 1962, Padmashri in 1983, and Padma Bhushan in 2014. His recent accolade, the Sahitya Akademi Award for Gujarati in 2022, further cements his legacy as a multifaceted luminary in the world of arts and letters.

Congratulations to Gulam Mohammed Sheikh on this well-deserved honor of Legends of India: Lifetime Achievement Award. Organized by NGO Legends of India, the award recognizes accomplished artistes for their contribution to preserving and promoting traditional Indian art forms and comes with a cash prize of Rs 51,000 and a plaque.

Painting Image Source: Google Arts & Culture