Ram Kinkar Baij (Delhi )
About Artist
Born in 1906 in Bankura, West Bengal, Ramkinkar Baij was a trailblazing Indian artist and a key figure in the development of modern Indian sculpture and Contextual Modernism. Baij was educated at Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, where he was surrounded by fellow artists such as Prabhas Sen, Shankho Chowdhury, Avtar Singh Panwar, and Susan Ghose. His works frequently depicted the lives of rural Dalit and Adivasi (Santhal) communities, blending indigenous themes with modernist sensibilities. Baij worked in both sculpture and painting, and his artistic approach reflected a deep engagement with the socio-economic conditions of marginalised communities. He is renowned for his monumental sculptures, such as "Yaksha" and "Yakshi," which incorporated modern industrial elements along with traditional iconography. His contribution to Indian art is widely recognized, and his works are displayed at the National Gallery of Modern Art. Baij was also a recipient of numerous prestigious honors, including the Padma Bhushan, a fellowship from the Lalit Kala Akademi, the Desikottama from Visva-Bharati University, and an honorary D.Litt. from Rabindra Bharati University. Ramkinkar Baij lived and worked in Santiniketan, West Bengal, until his passing in 1980, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of artists.Artwork
