Muktinath Mondal

Born in 1982 in Tulia, West Bengal, Muktinath Mondal is a contemporary Indian artist whose practice draws from the cultural memory, folklore and everyday life of rural Bengal. He completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya, Chhattisgarh, in 2005, followed by a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Hyderabad in 2007. He also qualified for the UGC National Eligibility Test in 2009.

Working across painting and mixed media, Mondal weaves together local traditions, religious and spiritual beliefs, myths, rituals and stories passed down through generations. His works transform familiar objects and figures into complex visual narratives, exploring the relationship between tradition and modernity, cultural continuity and social change. Drawing from his rural upbringing, he reflects on fading cultural practices and broader social and environmental concerns.

Mondal has held solo exhibitions, including Fresh from Tulia at Exhibit 320, New Delhi, and Myth and Reality at Catharsis Art Gallery, Ahmedabad 2017. His work has also been featured in exhibitions across India and internationally. He participated in the Harmony Artists’ Residency in Mumbai in 2014 and was also a residency artist at Kalakriti Art Gallery, Hyderabad, in 2015. He received a Gold Medal from the University of Hyderabad in 2007. His practice offers a distinctive engagement with the narratives, beliefs and lived experiences that shape India's diverse cultural landscape.