By IANS
Dhaka : Art enthusiasts in the Bangladesh capital were treated to the works of legendary Indian artist Ramkinkar Baij, with an expert saying his paintings and sculptures were a confluence of Eastern and Western aesthetic ideas.
Professor Abul Mansur of the Department of Fine Arts, Chittagong University, described Baij as the pioneer "modern Indian sculpture". The talk, marking the artist's birth centenary celebrations, was attended by aesthetes and arts students.
Mansur said historically Indian art had a tradition that had continued despite interventions and external influences.
"This continuity was interrupted by colonialist Europeans as their artistic preferences became dominant, suppressing the local tradition. Indian sculpture of the time lost its own characteristics – many confusing ideas made way into it," The Daily Star quoted him as saying Friday.
"His inspiration was the working life of the common people. Portrayals of those he knew, their dreams, desires, drives and debacles were delineated in the deft and quick gestures of this artist.
"His sculptures contain the quality of monumentality. He was highly expressionistic yet very disciplined," said Mansur in the lecture organised by the Centre for Asian Art and Culture (CAAC).