Shyamal Dutta Ray (1934–2005) was a pioneering Indian watercolourist who profoundly transformed the Bengal School of Art with his intense, saturated hues and evocative subjects. Born in Ranchi, Dutta Ray studied at the Government College of Arts and Crafts in Calcutta, graduating in 1955. Initially trained in oil painting, he switched to watercolours due to allergies, a change that led him to redefine the medium with a depth and intensity rarely seen before. His melancholic, contemplative works captured the complexities of Calcutta city life, portraying themes of sorrow, hope, and irony amid societal disintegration. Dutta Ray's distinctive style set a major turning point in Indian art, establishing him as a master of the medium.
A founding member of the Society of Contemporary Artists in 1959, Dutta Ray was instrumental in bringing innovation to Indian art. His celebrated career was marked by numerous honors, including the Lalit Kala Akademi’s National Award, the Shiromani Kala Puraskar, and accolades from Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. His works were widely exhibited in India, as well as internationally at events like the Third World Biennale in London and the Havana Biennale in Cuba. Today, his paintings are housed in prestigious collections, including the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and the Glenbarra Art Museum in Japan, ensuring his lasting legacy in modern Indian art.
