Benodebehari Mukherjee

Benodebehari Mukherjee (1904–1980) was was one of the pioneers of modern Indian art and a key figure of contextual modernism. Educated at Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, he later became principal of the renowned institution. He inspired many brilliant students over the years, including artists Ramananda Bandopadhyay, K. G. Subramanyan, Somnath Hore, designer Riten Majumdar and filmmaker Satyajit Ray, who made a documentary film on Benodebehari titled The Inner Eye (1972). In 1974, Benodebehari received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award.