Bheem Malhotra

Born in March 1964 in Rohtak, Haryana, this distinguished watercolour artist and academician holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Painting, qualifications that laid the foundation for a lifelong engagement with artistic exploration and pedagogy. Based in Chandigarh, he serves as Associate Professor at the Chandigarh College of Architecture and as Chairman of the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, where he has played a transformative role in nurturing artistic dialogue and building dynamic platforms for artists across the region.

Honoured three times by the Chandigarh Administration on Republic Day and Independence Day for his contribution to art and culture, he is also a recipient of the National Award from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, including recognition from the South Central Zone Cultural Centre (SCZCC). His watercolours have earned distinction at the All India Exhibitions of Water Colours organised by AIFACS, New Delhi, and have been featured in numerous State, National, and International exhibitions, alongside more than twenty solo shows in India and abroad, including London, Mumbai, Delhi, and South Korea.

Working primarily in watercolour, one of the most demanding and transparent mediums, he brings together architectural sensitivity and organic vitality. Nature remains his chief inspiration, while the urban landscapes of Chandigarh and Shimla frequently appear in his evocative series. Ordinary subjects, old utensils, rickshaws, dhabas, flowering bougainvillea are transformed into contemplative visual narratives that celebrate memory, time, and place.

As Chairman, he has conceptualised and curated innovative art and architecture programmes, initiated public workshops and exchanges under the “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” mission, and designed the Chandigarh Administration Tableau for the Republic Day Parade at India Gate in 2016. His works are housed in prominent public and private collections in India and abroad, reflecting a career dedicated equally to artistic excellence and cultural leadership.