Ramkinkar Baij Biography 
Ramkinkar Baij was an Indian sculptor and painter from Bengal belonging to modern art. He is widely regarded as a key figure of Contextual Modernism. Initially he painted non-co-operation movement by Mahatma Gandhi, before he completely switched over to the life and culture of tribal people known as Adivasis. Ramananda Chatterjee – the father of Indian journalism was his mentor. Some of his best works are Lady with Dog, Sujata, Santhaal Family, Mill Call, jokkho-jokkhi etc. Baji lived in the 20th century during the period, 26 May 1906 – 2 August 1980.
Ramkinkar Baij was born on 26 May 1906 in Bankura, Bengal. His family was financially sound. He abandoned his family surname Poramanik in 1925, and took the surname Baij derived from Boidda and Boijo, best linked to Adivasis or tribal communities. Most of his works are deeply linked to tribal culture and traditions who lived in the rural areas of Bengal. He was based in Santiniketan, and he was inspired a lot by the Adivasis who lived in the surrounding area.
During his teens, he painted non-co-operation movement and freedom fighters linked with it. At the age of 16 he was spotted by journalist Ramananda Chatterjee, who later became his mentor. Baij also obtained a diploma from Viswabharati later, after which he joined the same university as the head of sculpture department. It was the journalist who asked him to study at Kala Bhavana, the art school at Santiniketan. He has taught numerous students at Viswabharati who later established themselves in the field.
He has created many sculptures and placed at different places; a statue of Buddha at Shantiniketan campus and Santal Family in 1938, Santiniketan are among them. Over the years he became one of the most distinguished early modernists in Indian art. He emerged as a leading artist in the late 1930s and early 1940s. He took great interest in human figures, body language and human drama. Some of his sculptures are preserved and displayed at various galleries across India.
Published: January 22, 2019
Updated: January 22, 2019
