The Akademi annual exhibition began at the exhibition hall today, with 187 painters, sculptors, photographers, et al, displaying their impressions of the world. The exhibition was inaugurated by Punjab Secretary, Public Health, J.R. Kundal. Dazzling to the eye and sublime to the soul, the exhibition brings out some of the best works of Punjab.

Another unique feature of the Akademi display is that most of the contributors are amateurs but the high quality of their work equals any of their professional brethren in the art world. Ambala-based Devinder Singh is a signboard painter by profession, but pursues fine arts as a hobby since 1986. He has bagged the S. Sobha Singh Award with oil-on-canvas dOld man of Punjab, a hauntingly realistic portrayal of an elderly Sikh.

Old man... touches one with the its captivating innocence and the brightness in the eyes. Abstract portrayal of Manjit Singh Gill's Worry is a multidimensional work of terracotta that is simplistic, direct, but enrapturing. Other works that are must-sees are the charcoal Red light in black white by, wood-metal Sandwiched by Desh Ranjan and, photographs Tranquillity and Guilty by Adit Agarwala.

According to the Akademi jury statement, there were 314 entries by 187 artistes, of which 180 were selected. Divided into two categories, the five from the "Age Group above 30" were presented cash awards worth Rs 5,000 each while about seven of the "Age Group below 30" were given cash awards worth Rs 3,000 each. The exhibition will be open from today till November 30, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.