Arup Das

Born in Bengal, Arup Das was a prominent muralist and painter of Indian modern art. He graduated from the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Calcutta, in the 1940s and later became a member of the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society, New Delhi, in the 1960s. In 1972, a British Council fellowship took him to Europe, where he gained exposure to European art movements and masters. Influenced by the socio-political changes of the 1940s and 1950s, Das placed the human figure at the centre of his work, portraying people’s struggles and aspirations. His paintings often featured the recurring theme of a messiah offering salvation and hope. He exhibited widely in India and abroad and received the Lalit Kala Akademi National Award and President’s Silver Plaque in 1957.