Art surrounds and occupies his life

The canvas has been his constant companion for the last 20 years. Each morning, Madan Lal heads straight for his studio and his first brush with the day starts with a stroke of colour, one that fills both his life and his imagination.

The canvas has been his constant companion for the last 20 years. Each morning, Madan Lal heads straight for his studio and his first brush with the day starts with a stroke of colour, one that fills both his life and his imagination.

A student of Government College of Art, painting is the nucleus of Madan8217;s being. Art surrounds and occupies his life and includes his entire schedule. 8220;I am an early bird and start work in my studio by 4.30 am. It8217;s a schedule I8217;ve been following for years, and the discipline gives character to my work,8221; he says.

On an average, he works for at least four hours on his paintings. Poetry, music, literature, people, surroundings, nature 8212; everything sooner or later translates itself into a form on his canvas.

His day revolves around his art. 8220;It8217;s like riyaaz, a fulfilling expression and the only time I don8217;t paint is when I8217;m travelling. And if that continues for more than four days, I am engulfed with a sense of emptiness,8221; says Madan, whose work gives him a reason to celebrate.

For the last three years, he has been working on a series based on Indian mythology, relating it to life and people, attaching it to events and then converting it into a work of art. Inspiration comes in various forms, from his walks, nature, space, surroundings, literature, music, poetry, friends among others. 8220;I make a deliberate effort to add value to my life and my art by taking out time for these essential pleasures,8221; he says.

He draws all his ideas everyday which later find expression in his paintings. That done, he catches up with his fraternity by reading art magazines, journals, surfing the Internet for the latest news, exploring the galleries around the world, keeping in touch with curators and networking with people.

8220;After spending nine hours painting, the rest of the day is spent in miscellaneous activities related to it,8221; he says.

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Planning a new series on globalisation, he says: 8220;I normally work on four to five paintings at a time. And as my work involves many layers of colours, more time and focus is required,8221; he says.

A painting, he says, sometimes takes a week to complete and then there are days when new combinations, colours, elements, feelings have to be explored and he is simply left with no option but to sit and stare.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More