Radha Charan Bagchi

Radha Charan Bagchi (1910-1977) is considered one of the pioneers of modern Bengal Art. He played a pivotal role in the historical trajectory of the development of the art scenario in Bengal. Merging the neo-Bengal school style and the conventional European traditions, he depicted Indian subjects and themes in the method of a European formalist. In fact, throughout his artistic career, he made it a mission to find a framework of using western techniques and styles that could suit Indian sensibility and ethos.

Bagchi was born in Pabna, which is present-day Bangladesh. Having completed his art education at the College of Art and Craft, Calcutta, he learned oil painting, Western academism, and traditional Indian art. Bagchi’s art has been influenced by the renowned masters of Bengal school such as Abanindranath Tagore, Mukul Dey, and others. But he eventually had evolved a distinct style of his own. A versatile artist, Bagchi worked in numerous mediums ranging from oil, tempera, and watercolour to graphic mediums like drypoint, etching, linocut, and lithography.

He is well known for his miniature works, depicting many historical and mythological themes. Some of his paintings capture the inherent pathos of the fall of the Mughal Empire. Others depict characters and episodes from Buddhist and Hindu mythologies; he illustrated the tales of the Buddhist Jataka and ancient Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata through miniature art. Some of Bagchi’s work is also based on episodes from the works of famous Indian classical poet Kalidasa. He has painted scenes from Kalidasa’s works like Meghadootam, Abhigyan Shakuntalam, and Kumarasambhava.

Radha Charan Bagchi was felicitated with many awards and honours including the President’s Medal for best exhibitor’s prize at the College of Art and Craft, Calcutta.