RKCS with foreign Visitors. (He is first from left)

BACKGROUND:     In the domain of fine arts in Manipur, Rajkumar Chandrajitsana Singh popularly known as RKCS, and Doyen among the local painters,  has become a household name.  Remarkable for imaginative portrayal,  his paintings have  been patronized by connoisseurs outside the state as well, viz. Mythological, Historical and contemporary events, with elan and authority.  Being a born artist his creativity genius was evident very early in his life, from a variety of paintings on Mythological and Cultural themes.  Shri RKCS was born at Keishamthong, Imphal, Manipur (India) on 13th October 1924.

He was the second son of Shri R.K. Yumjaosana Singh (1870-1954) who was also a pioneering  artist of Manipur.  The artistic talent in him was recognized quite early by his teachers when he was in the school.  RKCS imbibed the creative genius of his father's talents and become the most popular and distinguished artist of his own right, in the North East in general and Manipur in particular in the field of fine arts.  He could present a distinctive style of his own in the traditional realistic school,  and he has produced more than 10,000 works of art in a span of 50 years.

 In the year 1947 he established the "RKCS Chitralaya" the art studio which has become an alma mater of  professionals  and up-coming artists of Manipur.  In the same year he introduced the cinema poster painting in
the film "Dekhoji" at Victory Cinema Hall,  and he had a great flair of stage decoration and publicity display.  Today, his name has become almost an Institution.  His son, R.K. Budhi, is also a dedicated and talented artist in his own capacity. 
 

The Khamba-Thoibi Painting of RKCS

HISTORICAL PAINTINGS:     One of the most outstanding achievements of Shri RKCS is the completion of an ambitious project of depicting the history of Manipur (1709-1949) after 10 years of  hard work including research with eminent scholars of Manipur.  In all 72 paintings in oil on canvas were displayed at G.M. Hall, Imphal between June 11-22, 1990.  The exhibition was sponsored by Manipur State Kala Academy.  The paintings recount main events of about 240 years of Manipur beginning with a historical episode of 1709 and closing with one of the most memorable event, the merger agreement of  Manipur with India in 1949.

DISTINGUISHED VISITORS:

    Now his art gallery has become a tourist attraction spot and has been attracting high dignitaries and persons of eminence from far and wide. Mr. Eijiro Noda, the Japanese Ambassador to India,   Shyam Sharan, the Ambassador of India to Myanmar,   Mr. John Zubrycki, Secretary, the Australian High Commission, Air Marshal M.M. Sinha,  Mr. Kazuo Takaishi, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan,   Dr. I. Hata, Professor of History, Takushoku University,  Japan,   Reviakin Vladimir, Senior architect of  Moscow,  Dr. Itallo Caraffa, Switzerland,   Maria Verduxchi, Italy, Lt.
General Moti Dhar,   Vice Chief of Army Staff,   Lt. General H.B. Kala, GOC in-C, Western Command,   Lt. General Prakash Gokarn,   Lt. General  T.P.S. Rawat,   Lt. General Gurpreet Singh,   Lt. General  S.K Bhatnagar,  Richard F. Celeste, US Ambassador to India  are some of the eminent persons visited his Art Gallery.  Tourist teams from  Japan,
USA, UK, Russia, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Myanmar, Israel and other countries  are attracted to his paintings.

EXHIBITIONS:

    RKCS paintings had  been exhibited throughout  India over the years to benefit the cultural heritage of Manipur,  its people and several non-profit organizations.

1. In honor of the visit of his highness  Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, to Manipur in 1954.
2. Various Group exhibitions at Imphal, Gauhati, Shillong, Ahemedabad,Jaipur, Delhi, Calcutta, Madras, Manipur University, etc.
3. Duet Shows at Madras, 1993.
4. Solo Shows: (i)  Imphal, 1985, 1990, 1995;  (ii) Bombay, 1986 (on the occasion of world congress on Synthesis of Science and Religion); (iii) Indira Gandhi International Trade Fair, New Delhi, 1989; (iv) Rastriya Kala Mela, Bangalore,  1995; (v)  International Culture Conference and Festival, Imphal, 1991; (vi) The XIth Session of the North East India Historical Association, Manipur University, Imphal, 1990;   (vii) All India Art Exhibitions, Imphal, 1984, 1985, 1987; (viii) All India Art  Exhibition at Tezpur, 1987; and others.

NATIONAL RECORD:

    Mr. RKCS holds the national record for a largest exhibit  by a single artist for his "Historical Paintings Exhibition at Imphal" in 1990, which was sponsored by the Manipur State Kala Academy, Imphal -  LIMCA BOOK OF RECORDS, 1994.

TITLE AND HONORS:

1. The "Greatest Artist of North-East India' by Chitrakala Parishad, Tezpur, Assam.
2. "Shilpa Bushan" Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Imphal.
3. "Fellow" Manipur State Kala Academy, Imphal.
4. "Gold Medal" Republic Day 1991, Government of Manipur.
 

MEMBERSHIPS:

1. General Council and Standing Committee, Manipur State Kala Academy,Imphal;
2. Life member and Chairman, Arts Society Manipur;
3. G.B. member, Imphal Art College;
4. Life member, Manipur Dramatic Union;
5. Life member, Indian Red Cross Society, Manipur;
6. Patron, Indo-Japan Friendship Association, etc.

TELEVISION SHOWS:

1. Interview with paintings, NHK. Tokyo (Japanese Broadcasting Corporation);
2. Kyodo Television Ltd., Tokyo,  in connection with a film commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the end of World War II;
3. The ISKCON Television, Los Angeles, USA;
4. A Tele Film on the last war of Manipuri Independence, 1891, Doordarshan Kendra, Imphal;
5. Interview with paintings for Surabhi D.D. 1 Cinema vision, Bombay;
6. A documentary on RKCS, "His Life and His Work" by Doordarshan Kendra, Imphal.

PUBLICATIONS AND REPRODUCTIONS:

1. The weekly magazine "SUN", Oct. 20, 1990 - 5 paintings, and March 19, 1998 - one painting;
2. Yomiuri" The Japanese National Paper, Nov. 17, 1990 - one painting;
3. Manipur State Calendar 1991 - 6 painting, and 1994 - one painting;
4. A book titled "Manipur, past and present", vol. 2 - four paintings;
5.  A book titled " Queen Empress vs. Tikendrajit Prince of Manipur" - 2 paintings;
6. The Hindu (Indian Daily Newspaper), Dec. 16, 1994 - 2 paintings;
7. Back to Godhead, Dec. 1995 - 5 paintings;
8. Limca Book of Records, 1994 - one painting; and numerous magazines.

SOME OF THE FOREIGN COLLECTORS OF RKCS PAINTINGS:

1. C. Gimson, (The British political agent in Manipur), UK;
2. Mr. and Mrs. Ephrain Dawek (Former Ambassador of Israel in India), Israel;
3. Eijiro Noda (Former Ambassador of Japan in India), Japan;
4. Hilton Hotel, Hong Kong;
5. Toshio, Suzuki, Matsudo City, Japan;
6. Dr. Tapio Alkula, Finland;
7. Dr. P. Lalit, Jackson, USA;
8. U. Htun Shwe, Mandalay, Myanmar;
9. Mr. Pieere Vauboug, Loiret, France;
10. Jean Marie Van Strydock, Belgium;
11. Mr. Francois Colson, Motessou, France;
12. Mr. Richard F. Celeste, US Ambassador to India, etc.

SOME OF THE INDIAN COLLECTORS:

1. Shri Bhargava, Chief Commissioner of Manipur, 1954;
2. B.K. Nehru, Former Governor of Manipur;
3. President Gyani Jail Singh;
4. Lata Mangeskar, Mumbai;
5. Rajiv Gandhi, Former Prime Minister of India;
6. Birla Akademy of Arts and Culture, Calcutta;
7. Sardar Vallabhai Patel, National Police Academy, Hyderabad;
8. Department of Art and Culture, Imphal;
9. I.K. Gujaral, Former Prime Minister of India;
10. Mr. Indrajit Gupta, Former Union Home Minister;
11.Tourism Department, Government of Manipur, Imphal;
12. Manipur State Museum, Imphal; and several other individual
collectors.
 

Address:

RKCS ART GALLERY IMPHAL
KEISHAMTHONG IMPHAL - 795001,
MANIPUR, INDIA.
PHONE: 91-385-223192
FAX: 91-385-224136