UDHAMPUR: National Painters’ Camp organised by Indian Academy of Fine Arts (IAFA), Amritsar from 3rd to 5th April, 2026 at JKTDC Tourist Complex, Mansar Lake (Udhampur, J&K), culminated on Sunday. The three days’ camp was organized to commemorate the contribution Late (Dr.) Baldev Gambhir (a Life Member of IAFA & recipient of multiple times the National Award by Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi; Punab Lalit Kala Akademi Awards, and other awards) in the field of art of.
Eleven well-known prominent and senior artists including Members of Executive Committee of IAFA viz. Varinder Pal Singh, Dharminder Sharma, Sukhpal Singh, Ms. Ravinder Dhillon, Narinder Singh and K S Gill (Amritsar); Gagan Gambhir (Jalandhar), Atul Mehra (Chandigarh), Ajit Singh Jabbal (Hoshiarpur); Jang S. Verman as Special Invitee (Jammu) and O P Sharma, a renowned artist and Director, JKCCA, Jammu as the nominated Coordinator of the camp participated in the said camp.
According to O P Sharma, “The purpose of organizing this camp was to pay respect to Late (Dr.) Baldev Gambhir who had dedicated his entire life in the service of executing, promoting and spreading art in the region. He had participated in major art activities like art exhibitions and camps in India and abroad, and getting high rank honours like Lalit Kala Akadei’s National Award and other prestigious awards.” He added, “Dr. Baldev Gambhir had been instrumental in promoting upcoming and young artists as well.”
Gagan Gambhir, son of Dr. Gambhir, one of the participating artists in the camp, announced to fund Special Award of worth Rs. 11,000/- on the name of his father, in the Students’ Category of All India Art Exhibition and Rs. 5,000/- in the Students’ Category in State Art Exhibition of Indian Academy of Fine Arts, every year, in future.
The participating artists created one work each as a token of love & respect in the memory of Late Dr. Baldev Gambhir.
