AVINASH CHANDRA
Avinash Chandra (August 28, 1931 – September 15, 1991) was a visionary Indian painter who made a lasting impact on the art world from his base in the United Kingdom. Born in Shimla on August 28, 1931, Chandra’s early life was marked by his father’s illustrious career as manager of Delhi’s Cecil hotel. He honed his skills at Delhi Polytechnic, where he later taught and mentored talented students, including Paramjit Singh, Arpita Singh, and Gopi Gajwani. Chandra’s 1955 masterpiece, “Snow in Pahalgam,” fetched a remarkable INR 4,375,000. In 1956, he relocated to Golders Green, London, with his wife. His work gained international recognition, featuring in a 1962 BBC Monitor documentary presented by W.G. Archer and, posthumously, in the 2018 BBC documentary “Whoever Heard of a Black Artist.” Chandra’s remarkable life and artistic journey came to a close in London on September 15, 1991.