Beyond Lens: Diwan Manna’s artistic journey from Punjab to world

A photograph can capture a moment, but for artist and photographer Diwan Manna, it can also question society, explore human emotions and challenge conventional ways of seeing the world. His artistic journey reflects a belief that photography is not merely about capturing images but about interpreting the complexities of human existence.

Recognising his contribution to art and culture, Manna was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 by the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi at a ceremony held at the Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10-C, Chandigarh, on October 30. Renowned artist Sudarshan Shetty presented the award. The programme also featured an audiovisual presentation titled The Turmoil Within by Manna.

A pioneer of conceptual photography in India, Manna has spent decades exploring the camera as a medium of artistic and social expression. His works examine themes of alienation, memory, trauma, gender, identity and political activism, encouraging audiences to look beyond the visible and engage with deeper meanings.

From Bareta to the world of art

Born on June 17, 1958, in Bareta, a small town in Punjab, Manna began his artistic journey with graduation in Graphic Art and Print-making from the Government College of Art, Chandigarh. However, the unexplored possibilities of photography soon became his primary fascination.

His early interests in fiction, poetry and theatre shaped his creative outlook and provided a foundation for examining society and human behaviour through visual narratives.

In 1980, he began developing conceptual artworks with his series Alienation. Its black-and-white photographs depicted workers sitting on an office bench, their shoulders stooped and expressions distant. The images moved beyond conventional visual representation to draw attention to social inequalities and shared emotional and psychological experiences.

His subsequent works, including Shores of the Unknown, After the Turmoil and Violence, explored memory, trauma and loss. By combining painting, acting and photography, he created compositions in which familiar forms and symbols acquired unfamiliar meanings.

Manna also frequently places himself within or alongside his images, creating multiple layers of interpretation. His visual narratives invite viewers to pause, question and reflect rather than simply observe.

Taking Indian conceptual photography abroad

Manna’s artistic contributions have received recognition in India and internationally. His works have been exhibited at prominent institutions and galleries, including the Museum of Asian Art in Berlin, Gallerie Bateau-Lavoir in Paris, Musée Malraux in Le Havre, Wolverhampton Museum in the UK and the Visual Arts Gallery at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.

His exhibitions have also reached Italy and Poland. He has conducted multimedia workshops in India and the UK, helping young artists develop their technical abilities and artistic perspectives.

His international engagements include artist residencies in the UK and France, along with an exchange programme documenting Le Corbusier’s buildings in France and Chandigarh.

Building institutions and nurturing young talent

Beyond his individual artistic achievements, Manna has played a significant role in promoting contemporary art in Punjab and the Tricity. His efforts have focused on making art accessible to wider audiences and creating platforms for established and emerging artists.

During his tenures as Honorary Chairman of the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, Honorary President of the Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi and former Director of Triennale India, he encouraged artists from India and abroad to share their work through exhibitions, presentations and discussions.

More than 300 videos documenting these events, along with interviews with participating artists, have been uploaded on YouTube and the websites of the Chandigarh and Punjab Lalit Kala Akademies. The collection serves as an extensive archive of contemporary Indian art.

He also facilitated scholarships, fellowships and travel grants, enabling young artists to attend international biennales and art festivals and gain practical exposure to different artistic traditions and techniques.

His institutional initiatives helped strengthen the functioning of the Chandigarh and Punjab Lalit Kala Akademies, raising professional standards in art administration and exhibition management.

Recognition beyond the canvas

Manna’s works are part of collections held by several prestigious institutions, including the Museum of Asian Art in Berlin, the Swiss Embassy in India, Deutsche Bank, the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Chandigarh, and the Museum of Fine Arts at Panjab University.

His honours include the National Academy Award, conferred by the Lalit Kala Akademi under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, in 1996, and the All India Photography Award in 1995 and 1996. He has also received state honours from the Chandigarh Administration and the Federation of Indian Photography.

In recognition of his artistic achievements and sustained contribution to the promotion, preservation and dissemination of art, the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi instituted the Lifetime Achievement Award as a special exception.

Manna’s contribution extends beyond the photographs displayed in galleries. It is also reflected in the institutions he helped strengthen, the opportunities created for young artists and the platforms established for conversations around contemporary art. His journey illustrates how photography can become more than a visual medium, serving as a means to question society, explore human experiences, and broaden the understanding of art.