Prokash Karmakar

Prokash Karmakar (1933 - 2014) was a significant figure in modern Indian art, known for his expressive landscapes, figurative works and nudes. Born in Kolkata, he was introduced to art at an early age by his father, the artist and teacher Prahlad Karmakar. Although he briefly studied at the Government College of Art & Craft, Calcutta, financial circumstances led him to leave the institution. He continued his artistic training through independent practice and under artists including Kamalaranjan Thakur, Dilip Das Gupta and Nirode Majumdar.

Karmakar developed a distinctive visual language characterised by bold lines, vibrant colours, rich textures and an expressive treatment of form. His paintings reflect his engagement with nature, urban and rural life, human experience and the social realities of his time. His work moved between vivid landscapes and more introspective figurative and monochromatic compositions.

A founding member of the Society of Contemporary Artists and the Calcutta Painters group, Karmakar played an important role in the development of modern art in Bengal. His unconventional 1959 pavement exhibition on the railings of the Indian Museum in Kolkata brought his work to public attention and challenged conventional exhibition formats.

He received the Lalit Kala Akademi National Award and several other honours. His works are held in important collections, including the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.