Quick Facts
Biography
Diwan Manna is an Indian conceptual artist and photographer.
Current, he is the President of Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi (State Academy of Art), Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of Punjab, India. Previously, he has been the Director of Triennale India, Lalit Kala Akademi (National Akademy of Art), Ministry of Culture, Government of India and also served the position of Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi (State Akademi of Art), Chandigarh, from 17 June 2008 to 31 July 2015.
He is a recipient of National Academy Award by Lalit Kala Akademi.
Early life
Diwan Manna, was born in 1958, in Bareta, district Mansa (previously Bathinda) Punjab, India.
Education
He studied graphic art and printmaking at the Government College of Arts, Chandigarh, India. After getting trained as a graphic artist and painter, he worked in literature, cinema, painting, and theatre based on his interests. He is known for his conceptual artworks, blends photography, painting, acting, body art et al. to create an array of striking images.
Publication
- “From Mustard Fields to Disco Lights: Folk Music and Musical Instruments of Punjab” by Dr. Alka Pande, photographs by Diwan Manna, published by MAPINS
- Catalogue Ages of Separation 2007, Published by Gallery Art Room
- Catalogue Indo French Glances 2006, Published by St-Etienne Metropolitan Council, France.
- Chief Photographer for Apna Utsav (an all-India cultural extravaganza having approximately 5,000 artists as participants) for NZCC at New Delhi, 1986
Television and Theatre
- Researched, scripted and presented a TV documentary on painter Raj Jain for Doordarshan, 1986
- Directed and acted in street plays and TV plays, 1978–82
- Acted in a film “Disturbed Area” made by Khwaja Ahmed Abbas and Imtiaz Khan, based on a play directed by Gurcharan Channi, 1978–79
- Participated in a theatre workshop on Body Language conducted by Badal Sircar, 1979
- Co-directed and scripted a street play “Satta Ke Jangal” with Navtej Singh Johar (Indian classical dancer), 1982