Ramkinkar Baij

Ramkinkar Baij (1910 – 1980) is considered to be one of the most important original sculptors, who worked during the transitory phase of the 1930s and 1940s.

Born in a village of Bengal, Ramkinkar Baij was not traditional or academic. His significance lies in the fact that his body of work was essentially individualistic. This was in an age guided by the Bengal Revivalist spirit. The sculptors and painters of his time belonged to two schools – first, those of the Bengal Revivalist School who had evolved a nationalistic and mystical ideal and secondly, those who adhered to the strict academic traditions of the West. But Ramkinkar’s work was pioneering and personal.

His works are characterised by tremendous energy. One can see the almost surging movement of growth, and its figures and forms are dynamic. He used an idiom that was vital and whether representational, stylised or abstract, his works have the quality of surging growth.