Kolkata, 31st March 2025: Kolkata the city of joy
came alive with creativity and nostalgia as it hosted an extraordinary art
exhibition and book launch dedicated to the legendary sculptor and painter,
Ramkinkar Baij. Held at Nazrul Tirtha, New Town, the event showcased Baij’s
original paintings and sculptures while celebrating his profound contributions
to modern Indian art.
The event attracted some of India's most celebrated
artists, critics, and dignitaries, making it one of the most significant
tributes to Baij in recent years. Among the distinguished guests were Shri Lalu
Prasad Shaw, Shri Niranjan Prasad, Smt. Suktisubhra Pradhan, Dr. Sanjeev
Kishore Gautam, Shri Chandranath Das, Shri Kamaldeep Dhar, Shri Vimal Chand,
Shri Amit Kalla, Shri Radhey Shyam, Shri Partha Shaw, Smt. Shashikala Singh,
and Smt. Japani Shyam. Their presence underscored the importance of Baij’s
artistic legacy and its continued impact on contemporary Indian art.
The event's Chief Guest was Dr. Sanjeev Kishore
Gautam, Director General- National Gallery of Modern Art, Ministry of Culture,
Government of India, who inaugurated the event, emphasising Baij’s
revolutionary artistic vision. Smt. Rittika Chanda Parruck MBE, Director
of Education at the British Council, New Delhi, attended as the Guest
of Honour, further elevating the event's prestige. Shri. Prayag Shukla- Sahitya
Akademi award winner, eminent Hindi poet, author and art critic, was
also present at the occasion.
The exhibition presented an extensive collection of
Baij’s original works, allowing visitors to experience his bold and
experimental style up close. As a pioneer of modern Indian sculpture and
painting, Baij’s fearless creativity continues to inspire new generations of
artists. Alongside his works, the exhibition featured masterpieces from
legendary artists, including:
- Late M.F. Husain – a trailblazer of
Indian modern art
- Abdur Rahman
Chughtai – renowned for his Indo-Persian artistic style
- Shri Prodosh
Dasgupta – a leading sculptor of the Bengal School
- K.G. Subramanian – a master of
Indian modernism
- Tyeb Mehta – famous for his
powerful, expressionist compositions
- Jangarh Singh Shyam – a pioneer of
contemporary Gond art
- Shri Lalu Prasad
Shaw & Shri Niranjan Prasad – stalwarts of
Indian modernist movements
By showcasing these distinguished artists, the
exhibition sparked a dynamic dialogue between past and present, reinforcing
Baij’s influence on modern Indian art.
A major highlight of the event was an exclusive live
painting session where prominent artists from across the country created
artwork in real-time. Visitors had the rare opportunity to witness the creative
process unfold, as artists drew inspiration from Baij’s techniques and
philosophies. This interactive session deepened audience engagement, offering a
rare glimpse into the world of contemporary Indian artistry.
Adding to the significance of the event was the
much-anticipated launch of "The Unseen Life of Ramkinkar Baij,"
authored by Chandranath Das and co-authored by Chandrima Das. The book provides
an intimate look at Baij’s life, creative journey, and artistic contributions,
revealing lesser-known aspects of his personality and evolution as an artist.
Speaking about the book, Chandranath Das
shared, "Ramkinkar Baij was a visionary, far ahead of his time.
Through this book, I have sought to shed light on the lesser-known dimensions
of his life—his struggles, inspirations, and undying passion for art. This
project is my heartfelt tribute to his extraordinary legacy."
Curator and co-author Chandrima Das added, "Baij's
artistic journey was defined by fearless experimentation and radical ideas.
This exhibition and book aim to celebrate his trailblazing spirit and showcase
how his work continues to inspire contemporary Indian artists."
Vijay Prabhat Shukla, the driving force behind the Ramkinkar Baij exhibition
in Kolkata and the publication of "The Unseen Life of Ramkinkar
Baij," shared his journey. Over two years, he traveled across Bengal,
visiting places like Santiniketan, Bankura, and Bhetia-Bolpur, to delve deep
into Baij's life. Captivated by his story and art, Shukla decided to publish
the book. He expressed his excitement about the overwhelming response, stating,
“It is truly gratifying to see such enthusiasm for Ramkinkar Baij’s work.
This exhibition is not just a tribute but also a platform to reignite
conversations about his contributions to Indian art. We hope this inspires a
new generation of artists and art lovers to explore and appreciate his legacy.”
Shri Vijay Prabhat Shukla, the organizer of the exhibition of Ramkinkar Baij’s
work in Kolkata and the publisher of the book "The Unseen Life of
Ramkinkar Baij," noted that he travelled 2 years to different parts of
Bengal mostly Santiniketan, Bankura, Bhetia- Bolpur and did extensive research
on his life and was so impressed with his life and work decided to publish the
book. He expressed his excitement about the overwhelming response, stating, "It
is truly gratifying to see such enthusiasm for Ramkinkar Baij’s work. This
exhibition is not just a tribute but also a platform to reignite conversations
about his contributions to Indian art. We hope this inspires a new generation
of artists and art lovers to explore and appreciate his legacy."
The exhibition and book launch received widespread
acclaim from the art community and visitors alike. Critics praised the
initiative for reviving interest in Baij’s pioneering work, while audiences
appreciated the opportunity to engage with his masterpieces in such a
comprehensive setting.
As the exhibition continues until 31st
March 2025, it stands as a testament to Baij’s enduring impact on Indian art.
Through this event, Kolkata reaffirms its status as a city deeply invested in
preserving and nurturing artistic heritage. By bringing together legendary and
contemporary artists, this exhibition ensures that Ramkinkar Baij’s radical
artistic vision continues to inspire future generations.
The exhibition features an impressive collection of 72
artworks, including 60 paintings and 12 sculptures. Among the legendary
artists, 14 artworks (12 paintings and 2 sculptures) are displayed, with
contributions from Ramkinkar Baij (6), MF Husain (1), Abdur Rahman Chughtai
(1), KG Subramanyan (3), Tyeb Mehta (1), and Jangarh Singh Shyam (2). Senior
eminent artists have contributed 18 artworks (12 paintings and 6 sculptures),
including Lalu Prasad Shaw (6), Niranjan Pradhan (6 sculptures), and
Suktisubhra Pradhan (6). Additionally, contributing artists from across India
have presented 40 artworks (36 paintings and 4 sculptures), featuring works by
Dr. Sanjeev Kishore Goutam (4), Chandranath Das (6), Kamaldeep Dhar (4
sculptures), Vimal Chand (4), Amit Kalla (5), Radhey Shyam (4), Partha Shaw
(6), Shashikala Singh (4), and Japani Shyam (3).