The artist Bimal Das Gupta’s symbolism from the ’60s

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Bimal Das Gupta was one of the earliest leading abstractionists in Indian modern art.

Yet, his legacy would have been lost following his untimely demise in a road accident nearly 19 years ago if not for the efforts of a few art lovers. Bimal Das Gupta: Tutelage—An Ode to a Legend is the first solo exhibition of his works in 30 years, and is being presented by Dhoomimal Gallery and Gallery Silver Scapes at Travancore House in Delhi.

Spanning six decades of his artistic journey from the 1930s— when he first broke away from the figurative styles popular in post-independence India—through to the later years of his career, the exhibition traces his evolution as one of the country’s earliest and most profound abstractionists. A note from the galleries states, “His work, characterised by abstract forms and explorations of the underwater world and the cosmos, Tantra philosophy, and the natural world, continues to inspire and challenge perceptions today.

His use of earth tones and unconventional techniques broke new ground in the Indian art scene, at a time when most artists adhered to mythology and realism." Indeed, Das Gupta is revered for his experiments with watercolour during the second half of the 20th century. “The use of this medium is extremely tough and the way he made these colours blend and create compositions in full synergy is a masterclass that future generations could take much from," says Uday Jain, director, Dhoomimal Gallery.

But why was Das Gupta’s contribution to art nearly lost for almost three decades? Jain says that while his work was collected by institutions since the 1950s, he never thought it important to market himself. The accident did not just lead to his death,