Untitled (Cat Holding Prawn)

Jamini Roy

Jamini Roy’s significance in Indian modern art is attested by his stature as one of the nine national treasure artists. Born in Beliatore, Bengal in 1887, on Bengali New Year’s Day (typically in the middle of April), the artist’s lifelong experimentation with form and prolific ouevre has left an indelible mark on the cultural consciousness of the people. Beloved both by his contemporaries and present-day connoisseurs of art, Jamini Roy and his art hold a special place in the aesthetic and cultural context of Bengal. Educationist Meenakshi Datta, in an essay that fondly recalls Jamini Roy, writes how on his birthday, artists, poets, dancers, writers, and friends from all over would arrive at his house at Dihi Serampore Lane in Calcutta to celebrate him.

On the occasion of his 137th birth anniversary, we take a look at what makes a Jamini Roy work iconic and explore aspects of his aesthetics and personality through his art.

Written By Shreeja Sen