Binodini

About Artist: Ramkinkar Baij (1906–1980) was a pioneering Indian sculptor and painter, widely regarded as a key figure in modern Indian art. Born in Bankura, West Bengal, he studied and taught at Kala Bhavana in Santiniketan under Nandalal Bose. Known for his expressive style and dynamic open-air concrete sculptures.he was especially known for depicting the Santhal tribal community of Bengal. Baij used humble materials like cement, laterite, and gunny cloth to capture the raw vitality of rural life and human emotion. For his groundbreaking contribution to Indian art, he was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 1970. About Art: Binodini is a striking oil portrait painted on cheap gunny cloth. Its subject, Maharaj Kumari Binodini Devi (also known as Princess Wangolsana or simply Binodini), was an acclaimed Manipuri princess, writer, sculptor, and cultural activist. While studying at Kala Bhavana in Santiniketan, she formed a close bond with Baij, who created several paintings and sculptures of her. In this seated artwork, thick, layered paint gives her slim figure a tactile, three-dimensional depth. Baij caught her expression with great tenderness, bringing out her quiet beauty while capturing the delicate inner emotional conflict she was experiencing. It stands out as one of his most outstanding and moving masterpieces.