Ramkinkar Baij

Considered one of the pioneers of modern Indian sculpture, the legendary Ramkinker Baij (1906-1980) works are indigenous, native and invigorating. A key figure of contextual Indian modernism, Baij had persistently defied classification and tags, while intuition was his major force for experimentation and innovation. 

Baij was born in the Bankura district of Bengal to a poor barber’s family. His dialogue with art began at a young age as he would animatedly observe and emulate the local idol maker who created sculptures from native red soil. The talent of young Baij was spotted by Ramananda Chattopadhyay, the distinguished journalist, and editor of Prabasi. 

Baij’s artistic idiom matured at Santiniketan under the mentorship of stalwarts like Nandalal Bose. During his earlier years at Shantiniketan, he tried his hand in oil paintings, watercolours, and wash as well as gouache techniques of the East. His artistic style flourished in the best Santiniketan tradition, grounded in the local cultural milieu but also open to the broad spectrum of modernist innovations in art.

A major influence on his works is the Santhal tribe. As a child, he would often be enamoured by the rhythmic movements of the Santhal labourers as they migrated from their villages in the hilly terrain to the plain areas during the harvesting season. Their zest and vigour for life, the rhythm and fluidity of their movements would lend inspiration to many of Baij’s paintings and sculptures.

Some of Ramkinker Baij’s famous sculptures are the Santhal Family, Call of the Mill, and Yaksha-Yakshi that stands outside the Reserve Bank of India, in New Delhi. As an artist, Baij was also sensitive to the suffering of fellow human beings and the socio-political turmoil of his times. 

Ramkinker Baij had been felicitated with many awards and honours including the Padma Bhushan by the Indian government.