Introduction:

 Mr. Hargopal Jhamb

a painter and sculptor had early education in Bombay, Delhi and Dharamshala (H.P.) before coming to Chandigarh. He Graduated and completed his Diploma in the education of Fine Arts (Major) from Panjab University, Chandigarh. He taught Fine Arts in Ramgarhia Training College, Phagwara for three years before going to Baroda and specializing in Museology as guided by Dr. M.S. Randhawa and Dr. Mulk Raj Anand, as the Chandigarh Museum was under final stages of construction. He got U.G.C. Scholarship and wrote a thesis on the “Organization of Art and Archeological Section of Chandigarh Museum.” He worked very closely with Mrs. Ratna Fabri round the clock in setting up the Museum. Earlier he collected various Sculptures, fossils and Archelogical prehistoric tools which were recorded and considered a “monumental discovery” by Dr. H.D. Sankalia of Deccan College Pune. This discovery was broadcast on All India Radio. These are now part of the Museum Collection. Ganesha and Nandi, huge sculptures which are of the Prathihara period, were also collected by him in and around Chandigarh, Panjore and the Nalagarh areas for which his efforts were appreciated and recognized by the Administration and by Dr. Randhawa. He worked in the Museum for about 10 years, during which he was incharge of the miniature paintings and Gandhara Sculptures section. He worked on his Doctorate under Dr. M.S. Randhawa from GNDU. During this period he authored and co-authored various research articles which were published in various National and International Art Magazines.
He went on a foreign assignment to Nigeria on deputation where he worked as Senior Education Officer & Asstt. Chief Education Officer (ARTS) for 11 years (1975-1986), in the Federal Ministry of Education During this period he had the opportunity to travel vastly and visit museums in England, Europe, USA, the Middle East, South East Asia, besides various countries in Africa and India and gained a lot of exposure in field of Art.