Printmaker Haren Das’s ‘An Oeuvre’ takes centre stage

Printermaker Haren Das will exhibit his creations in upcoming latest art show from February 25 at Gallery 3 in the Lalit Kala Akademi. The exhibition will end on March 2.

During his show, he will unveil 73 woodcuts, 41 etchings, 26 linocuts, and 6 lithographs, offering a chronological exploration of his printmaking evolution over seven decades of his career growth trajectory.

Raised by foster parents, Das born on February 1, 1921, in Dinajpur, Bengal discovered his true origins during school being nurtured in a neolithic village. Against family wishes, he pursued art, finding support from Premhari Burman. Walking from Muktaram Babu street in North Calcutta to the Art school in the central area, Das learned watercolor, oil painting, and mural painting from school, thus shaping his artistic foray into the world of printmaking.

Das devoted six years from 1937 to printmaking, graduating from the Govt School of Arts and Crafts in 1944. His artistic journey continued with a two-year art teachership, concluding in 1946. He was a prominent teacher and head of the Graphic Arts department until his 1981 retirement. He participated in National level art shows and also international graphic art exhibitions several times in Leipzig, Tokyo, Osaka, Italy, Norway, China, Australia and Switzerland.

At the Academy of Fine Arts’ annual All India show, he secured a Gold Medal for three consecutive years. Additionally, Das received Gold Medals from Hyderabad, Patna, Madras, and the prestigious Abanindra-Puroskar from the Government of West Bengal. A retrospective by Ibrahim Alkazi in 1983 catapulted him to fame, winning both national and international acclaim.

Under Ramendranath Chakraborty’s tutelage, Das mastered woodcut, wood engravings, and etching. He also produced hand-painted prints; from humble beginnings to finding a great mentor helping him shape his prolific career.

The upcoming exhibition in New Delhi will showcase Das’s versatility and technical expertise, from woodcuts bringing profound satisfaction to colored woodprints displaying mastery in depicting shadows. Select works include “Asleep” (1945, Drypoint) with delicate drawing and grayscale, “A Glimpse” (1955, Colour Wood Engraving) depicting moonlit scenes, and “Pigeons Home” (1956, Colour Wood Engraving) capturing a symphony of color and form. “Wandering Minstrel” (1960, Lithograph) portrays Vaishnavite mendicants with soft colors. “Chiaroscuro” (1962, Wood Engraving) evokes sadness in a tumbledown environment. “After the Rain” (1962, Lithograph) delicately depicts submerged areas. “Homewards” (1964, Etching) presents a zoomorphic scene of herded cattle. “Across the Stream” (1962, Wood Engraving) plays with light and shadows, while “Moonlight” (1970, Mezzotint) creates a romantic atmosphere through unique plate treatment.

Influenced by Japanese woodprints, Das reimagined reality on a two-dimensional surface. His compositions, echoing Teilhard de Chardin’s philosophy, portrayed the insignificance of individuality against the backdrop of human comedy. Haren Das’s legacy as a complete printmaker, weaves a rich tapestry of artistic innovation and stylistic unity until his passing away in 1993.

When: 11am – 7pm, February 25 – March 2

Where: Gallery 3, Lalit Kala Akademi