The Finalists Are Here!
Meet Our Finalists
Portrait Artist Challenge 2026
View the complete programme and event details for
the Portrait Artist Challenge 2026 Finals.
Meet Your Judges
Shaiwal Chakraborty
Shaiwal Chakraborty is an art practitioner from Ghatshila, Jharkhand, currently based in Kolkata. He specialises in printmaking. His work explores different emotions through portraiture. Alongside printmaking, he works across lithography, woodcut printmaking, screen printing, drawing, and painting, giving his practice a distinct intermedium quality. He was the winner of the Portrait Artist Challenge 2023.
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K. Lavanya
K. Lavanya is a portrait artist specializing in oil painting. Her practice focuses on expressing the unspoken emotions of women through realistic portraiture. With over six years of artistic experience, she has developed a distinctive visual language rooted in emotion and observation. She received First Prize in the All India Painting Competition organized by Image Group of India and was the winner of the Portrait Artist Challenge 2024.
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Bhasur Kamal Choudhury
Bhasur Kamal Choudhury is an artist from Assam, India, currently pursuing an M.V.A. in Sculpture at the University of Hyderabad. He completed his B.F.A. in Sculpture from Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan. His practice explores memory, fragmented consciousness, and human psychology through sculpture, drawing, painting, and installation. Working with materials such as clay, bronze, fiber, charcoal, twigs, and found objects, he investigates the relationship between personal experience and collective emotion while creating dialogues between two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms. He was the winner of the Portrait Artist Challenge 2025.
Read moreThe Portrait Artist Challenge is held every year to raise awareness about the Dr. Smita Bhatia Foundation and its activities.
Through this event, we also aim to promote and foster greater engagement between art, artists, and the community.
Join us in this endeavor to make a meaningful impact and create a stronger connection through the power of art.
In frame, Mrs. Priya Murle (Bharatanatyam Dancer, President of ABHAI - Association of Bharatanatyam Artistes of India), PAC 2025’s Chief Guest as depicted by the winners of Round 2!
Psst! Follow us on instagram to stay tuned, and learn more about your judges!
Submit Your Artwork Now
More about the people of PAC!
I was really happy to be part of the portrait competition organized by Dr. Smita Bhatia Foundation. Winning it was an unforgettable experience for me. There were six of us in total, including myself, and each of us had a unique experience, which made the event feel really special.
While we were painting, some school students came up and spoke with us. That interaction gave us a real insight into how thoughtful and deep their minds are. I was also accompanied by my husband, Jegapriyan ., whose support meant a lot to me throughout the event. It was a meaningful experience for me and gave me a big boost in my journey as an artist.
- Lavanya K, Winner, PAC 2024
"We really enjoyed the program and everything was fantastic. Thank you so much for arranging such a good program and contest for such a good cause. It was really a great experience for me. Thank you so much again and praying better health for Dr Smita."
- Prantika Saha, 1st Runner Up, PAC 2024
"Thank you so much, I am grateful to have been a part of the event and hope to meet everyone again soon!"
- Kshitij Budhiraja, 2nd Runner Up, PAC 2024
"From the rustic charm of West Bengal to the vibrant energy of Chennai, this journey was a transformative experience. The organizers' exceptional hospitality made it truly unforgettable, gifting me a lifetime of cherished memories."
- Sayan Bhattacharyya, 2nd Runner Up, PAC 2024
"Thank you so much for everything. We are on our way home. It was a wonderful experience. I truly appreciate the effort you put into taking care of everything. The hospitality was excellent, and I feel privileged to have been part of the program."
- Sayan Basu, Finalist, PAC 2024
"Thank you so much for the photos. I am grateful to have been a part of this wonderful event. The hospitality was amazing. The people, the place, and the South Indian culture truly touched my heart. Hats off to you, Smita ma'am, and the foundation for organizing such a fantastic event."
- Sayak Pal, Finalist, PAC 2024
“It was really special for me to present my art on such an amazing platform, I got a chance to meet so many great artists and beautiful people, glad to get such interaction from the audience, grateful to be associated with such a great cause, truly a memory to cherished for lifetime.”
- Shaiwal Chakraborty, Winner, PAC 2023
"As a fan of Portrait Artist of the Year (UK), I've always desired to witness or take part in a similar event within the Indian art community. PAC, hosted by the Smita Bhatia Foundation, is a significant step towards that aspiration. It was a pleasure to be part of the inaugural edition of such a well-executed art event. Witnessing students with artistic ambitions engaging with the artists and getting their autographs will stay vivid in my memory for a long time. Exploring the profound mission of the Smita Bhatia Foundation and Proton therapy amidst the creative buzz added depth to my experience. Thanks to Mr. Mukundan for his gracious hospitality, and I eagerly anticipate contributing to and engaging with future editions of this event."
- Pon Balaji, 1st Runner Up, PAC 2023
Select works from previous years
Portrait Artist Challenge 2024 and 2023 were received with warmth and brilliance that was exhibited by our contenders, we loved each and everyone’s art!
Select work from last year.
Portrait Artist Challenge 2025 was received with warmth and brilliance exhibited by the participants, we loved each and everyone’s art!
