Dina Nath Walli hails from Kashmir one of the nature's choicest spots. The natural grandeur of the valley had a magic effect on young Walli's mind who was simply bewitched by the colorful phenomena pervading throughout the length and the breadth of Kashmir. Having drunk at the source he worked with a true abandon and reveled in the ecstasy of his own creative composition.

Dina Nath Walli - The Artist
Picture courtesy: Sh. Tej Walli

He got his earlier education at Srinagar and after a three-year course in painting at the Amar Singh Technical Institute Srinagar he came down to Calcutta in 1930 for his further training. In 1936 he returned to Srinagar and concentrated on landscape painting in transparent water colors. In 1939 he was awarded a Gold Medal by the Government of Kashmir. In 1940 he got a highly commended medal from the Academy of Fine Arts Calcutta. In Calcutta he came in contact with late Mr. Percy Brown who helped him considerably in his career and in 1953 he opened Walli s first one-man show in Nedou's Hotel Srinagar with great praise for the artist s work. He held his second one-man show in 1954 in Bombay at Jehangir Art Gallery which was opened by Shri S. K. Patil. Encouraged by the Bombay Press and the public he held his third one-man show in the same year at Delhi in the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society's Gallery. It was inaugurated by late Sardar K. M. Panikar. The response from Delhi Public and Press was equally encouraging. He organised his fourth one-man show at Calcutta in Artistry House in the year 1956. The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Kali Das Nag. The notable Indian art historian Shri O. C. Gangoli was also present who addressed the audience. Shri Gangoli was of full praise for the artist's work on display there. Later he had some other shows in Delhi for the edification of artists art-lovers and those who are attracted by the charm of Kashmir's natural beauty.

Walli who is also a poet has published a book of his Kashmiri poems BALA YAPRI which has been well received in literary circles. He writes under the pen name ALMAST KASHMIRI. 

Update: Sh. Walli passed away in 10th January, 2006 in Karnal.