New Delhi: Days after it was replaced with an art piece depicting the Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh featuring modern military paraphernalia and Hindu iconography, the famous painting of Pakistan Army’s surrender in 1971 has been moved to the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, the Army said Monday.
The force termed the complex a “befitting place” for the painting after its sudden removal from the Army chief’s annexe in South Block invited criticism from senior veterans.
The celebrated painting shows Lt General A.A.K. Niazi signing the Pakistani Instrument of Surrender in 1971, sitting next to India’s Lt General Jagjit Singh Aurora.
It was the centrepiece of the Army Chief’s annexe where he met important visitors. The painting, which captured one of India’s finest moments of military glory, formed the background of nearly every picture taken with foreign dignitaries and others. It was replaced by another painting by a young Army officer showcasing India’s military might at Pangong Tso, one of the key areas of friction with China since 2020.
The artwork of the lake and its shore in the backdrop of snow-capped mountains juxtaposes history and Hindu religious iconography with modern military paraphernalia, giving it a more political tone.
As ThePrint reported earlier, the new painting features images of Chanakya, Garuda, and Krishna driving Arjuna’s chariot from the Mahabharata alongside tanks, helicopters and boats.
On Monday, the Indian Army posted on X: “On the occasion of #VijayDiwas, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi #COAS, along with the President #AWWA, Mrs Sunita Dwivedi, installed the iconic 1971 surrender painting to its most befitting place, The Manekshaw Centre, named after the Architect and the Hero of 1971 War, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.” The post also said the painting would now get a larger audience because of the substantial footfall of diverse audiences and dignitaries from India and abroad.
On the occasion of #VijayDiwas, #GeneralUpendraDwivedi #COAS, along with the President #AWWA, Mrs Sunita Dwivedi, installed the iconic 1971 surrender painting to its most befitting place, The Manekshaw Centre, named after the Architect and the Hero of 1971… pic.twitter.com/t9MfGXzwmH
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 16, 2024
Pangong Tso saw several rounds of physical clashes between the two armies which led to a standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Both sides have since disengaged in the area following the creation of a buffer zone.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
You have mentioned the much celebrated painting, but couldn’t find it in yourselves to mention the celebrated artist! A retired army officer, colonel Arulraj, has painted portraits of almost all presidents of India, and many other battle paintings now hanging in several defence establishments around the country. Why ignore him? He’s probably the most aggrieved of this BJP pleasing move by this politicised current army chief!