THROUGH MY JOURNEY TO REDISCOVER THE ARTIST, MY FATHER , LATE MOHAN RAINA .

Through my journey so far, I
met and interacted with many
scholars, intellectuals and
luminaries who enlightened
me and made me wiser with
their scholarship and wisdom.
I wish to express my profound
gratitude to all of them.

Yesterday, I called Mr. Rajendar
Tiku for an appointment. I had
heard a lot about him but never
got an opportunity to meet and
interact with him. As decided , I
reached his residence, today in
the morning at 9 sharp. He lives
at 39/A, Bhawani Nagar, Janipur
Jammu.

Upon reaching there , a tall, well
built gentleman sporting a grey
stubble greeted me very warmly.
He made me comfortable with a
glass of water and then over a
cup of tea we started chatting.

In between sips of tea he tells;
" I was a young boy during the
time your father, Late Mohan
Raina was an established and
a renowned artist. As I grew up
I started knowing more about
him and his contemporaries. I
came to know about monograms,
logos and emblems he made
besides landscapes, portraits
and abstract. The emblem of
our state, in particular would
give me an insight into your dad's
artistic acumen and his technical
sovereignty. I tell you, Sudesh ji
looking at a colourful painting
sometimes you get carried away,
but I know how much dexterity,
creativity and perfection in drawing
it takes to conceptualize and execute
such art works. To maintain the
symmetry in such designs is not
an easy thing. More so when you
have to do it manually. Those days
there were no computers to help
you.This logo has stood the test
of time( generally logos do not
stand for more than a few years )
and it is at par with any well known
and famous international logos.
Today, digitization helps us a
great deal in all walks including
art.
I met Raina Sahab in seventies
for the first time during "Artists
Camp " at Gandharbal, Kashmir.
I saw him working there alongwith
other participants like B.C.Sanyal,
P.T.Reddy, Jatin Dass and Triloke
Koul. Your father had an aura and
charm which is generally found
missing. I liked him for his qualities
and demeanour which was amiable
and lively. He was soft spoken,
always well dressed and full of
humour. During camp days his
company would be fun and frolic.
His distinguishing qualities and
charismatic personality made him
like a typical example of French
Masters whom I had eulogised
and seen in pictures.
During his time the exhibition wing
of Information Dept. was functional
in real sense. 
It is so unfortunate that his life time
treasure of paintings showing his
range and versatility is lost to 
terrorism in the valley 

Today we talk much and make a
lot of noise about our rich heritage
of performing and visual arts but
none of us is serious to keep it
alive for posterity. Some half hearted attempts have been made which
give distorted accounts and can
not be taken seriously."

Sh. Rajendar Tiku is a renowned,
noted and eminent sculptor known
all over the world.
Born in 1953 in village Wadwan,
Kashmir, he had most of his early
schooling in village.
He has graduated in Science from
Kashmir University in 1974.
In 1976 he did his bachelor's
degree in Law from Kashmir Univ.
He has done five years course in
Sculpture from the Institute Of
Music and Fine Arts, Srinagar(1978)
Indeed an impressive academics !!

Mr.Tiku is a painter, sculptor who
prefers to concentrate on sculpture.
He has won accolades for his
successful experimentation in
creating masterpieces by combining
materials like stone, terracotta, wood, metals, alloys and scrap.
He has given solo exhibitions all
over India. These include;
1990 to 1995-- Three exhibitions
at Art Heritage, New Delhi.
1998--Art Heritage, N. Delhi.
1998--ABC Foundation, Varanasi.
2003-- New Delhi.
2008--New Delhi.
2011--An exhibition of latest works
in metal, drawings and projection.

He has travelled widely and
extensively to participate in
group exhibitions held between
1974 to 2011 in different states
of India and abroad. These are;
Punjab, Jammu, New Delhi, Bhopal,
Calcutta, Mumbai, Baroda and
Hyderabad ( all states/ towns in
India )
Abroad he has participated in
group exhibitions in countries
like;
Singapore, Germany , China and
Switzerland.
He is also a regular participant
in camps and symposia held
between 1980 to 2015 in countries
like ;
Switzerland, Israel, Singapore,
Thailand and.Russia.
In India, he has been participating
in camps and symposia held in
cities and states like;
Mumbai, Udaipur, Hyderabad,
Kerala, Jaipur, Chennai, Baroda,
Mysore, Gwalior, Lucknow, Orissa ,
Varanasi and New Delhi.

In recognition of his innovation
and contribution to the field of
sculpture Mr. Tiku has been
conferred National and international
awards and honours.

He is the recipient of prestigious
PADMA SHRI in 2013.
Awarded Gottieb Foundation
Grant --2015.
Appointed visiting Professor by
Musashino Art University, Tokyo ,
Japan (2013 ).
Pollock Krasner Foundation ,New
York grant for advanced work in
sculpture (2005 )
The distinction of being an "Eminent
Artist" by Lalit Kala Academy, New
Delhi ( 1999 ).
Senior fellowship of the Dept. Of
Culture, Ministry of H.R.D, Govt.
Of India ( 1997 --1999 ).
Eighth Triennale International award
for sculpture ( 1994 ).
National Award for sculpture(1993).
Jammu and Kashmir State Award
for Sculpture ( 1978 and 1979 ).

He has remained in the juries for ;
Lalit Kala Samman.
Kalidas Samman
Colloborative Exhibition of Lalit
Kala Academy and J&K Cultural
Academy.
AIFACS All India Exhibition and
Awards.
Very impressive and strong track
record !!
His collections have a prominent
place in Government and private
institutions of India and abroad.
Some private collectors also possess his works.His works are
with J&K Cultural Academy ,
Lalit Kala Academy, N.Delhi,
National Gallery Of Modern Art,
Art Heritage Foundation,
M.P.Housing Board, Bhopal ,
ITM Universe(T.U),Gwalior ,
Sculpture Trust, Varanasi ,
Uttrayan Foundation,Vadodara ,
Harmony Foundation ,Mumbai ,
Swara Art Foundation, N.Delhi ,
Cholamandal Artists Village ,
Bhoruka charitable Trust,Jaipur ,
City Of Sion, Switzerland and
City Of Malot, Israel.

He contributes to publications
like,
Lalit Kala Contemporary ,
Art Heritage ,
Kashmir Sentinel and
Catalogues of various artists.

During my discussions and
interaction with Sh.Tiku, I saw
some of his works on his Lap
Top. I could only exclaim with
pleasure, " Wah, Mazaa Aa Gaya,
you've made my day, Tiku Sahab" !!

I found Sh.Tiku very hospitable,
warm, affectionate and simple .
He is a gentleman to the core
without pretentions and hang ups.
He has a helping nature. He gave
me clues to find my dad's works.
He even phoned one of his friends
who is a doctor and has some of
my dad's works in his private
Collection.( I shall meet him after
taking an appointment ).
Tiku Sahab told me , " I have a lot
of respect for your father as an
artist and as a fine gentleman. I
will try to trace out a few of his
works for you in due course ".

I wish to express my profound
gratitude to Sh.Rajendar Tiku
for his great gesture and my
best wishes for his long, healthy
life full of creative activities !!

We had been interacting for
almost three hours. He came
out to see me off and I wished
him best of luck !

( Sudesh Raina )