Imphal, November 20: Renowned painter and a doyen among the local painters in the domain of find arts, Rajkumar Chandrajitsana Singh, popularly known as RKCS passed away at his Keishamthong residence after a prolonged illness today.

According to family source, RKCS has not been keeping well since February last and he breathed his last around 11 am today.

He was 81 and left behind his wife RK Leirikshija, six sons and two daughters.

Born on October 13, 1924 at Keishamthong, Rajkumar Chandrajitsana Singh was the second son of late RK Yumjaosana Singh, who was also a noted painter of his time.

RK Bhudhimanta son of RKCS told media persons that his father has not been well since February last.

RKCS has over 1000 paintings to his credit and his works have been appreciated the whole over.

He has also been bestowed with numerous titles and honours including Shilpa Bushan by Manipuri Sahitya Parishad and Fellow by Manipuri State Kala Akedemi.

Most of his works portrayed cultural and historical elements of Manipur and its people.

RKCS imbibed the creative genius from his father and started his painting career very early in life.

But it was in 1947 that he first painted the publicity pictures of Hindi film with Dekhoji screened at the then Victory Cinema Hall.

In the same year, he also started painting film posters and cut out publicity for Friend Talkies with Samson and Daliela.

RKCS also illustrated the Students� Drawing Book for class I to IV, which were prescribed as drawing books in the curriculum for school children till 1972.His name too has been entered in the Limca Book of Records, 1994 for the feat of largest exhibit by a single artist at the Historical Paintings Exhibition held at Imphal in 1990.The exhibition was sponsored By Manipur State kala Akedemi.

The paintings of RKCS are considered as prized procession and many visiting dignitaries and foreign tourists made it a point to visit his gallery and see the artist at work.

Among the notable personalities who have been presented and become the proud owners of RKCS�s brushstroke wonders are first President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad, former President Gyani Jail Singh, Late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Ministers IK Gujral Lata, Deve Gawda, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Manipur Governors BK Nehru, ON Shrivastava and Lata Mangeskar.

Though the noted painter passed away today, as a mark of honour to him, the State Government today presented one of his works entitled Kangla - the glory of Manipur Civilisation to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh presented the painting as State Gift to the visiting dignitary at the occasion of handing over Kangla to the people of Manipur.

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