Benode Behari Mukherjee, a pioneer of modern Indian art, was born on this day. He was one of the first modern Indian artists to take up murals, which gave him the scale to create large works that presented his vision of the world. He lost his eyesight early in life, but continued to work.
He had impaired vision from birth. He studied at Kala Bhavana at Visva-Bharati, where he was taught by artist Nandalal Bose, and where he taught later.
Ramkinkar Baij was a contemporary and a friend. Among Benode Behari’s students were artist K.G. Subramanyan and filmmaker Satyajit Ray, who made a film on Benode Behari.
His art shows many influences: modern western art elements such as cubism as well as eastern elements such as calligraphy and wash techniques of China and Japan. Indian miniature paintings were an inspiration. He also taught in Nepal and Rajasthan and started an art training school in Mussoorie with his wife Leela Mukherjee, an artist.
The lives of the medieval saints of India painted on the walls of Hindi Bhavana at Visva-Bharati is considered Benode Behari’s most important mural.
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