Ramkinkar Baij

Ramkinkar Baij was one of the pioneers of modern Indian sculpture and a key figure of Contextual Modernism. Born on 25 May 1906 in Bankura West Bengal Ramkinkar used to paint portraits of Indian freedom fighters involved in the Non-Cooperation Movement against the British rulers of India. At the age of 16 he got noticed by the renowned journalist Ramananda Chatterjee. Four years later Ramkinkar joined the Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan as a student of fine arts.  After obtaining a diploma from the university he went on to head the sculpture department. Ramkinkar was singularly reticent and otherworldly as he was single-minded in his commitment to art and humanity. But this did not stop his work from being noticed and appreciated by sensitive artists and connoisseurs, even if it were to remain a small group. Although his work was passed over for quite a while, gradually it began to get both national and international attention.
Baij died on Aug. 02, 1980 in Kolkata.