Bikash Bhattacharjee was born in Calcutta in 1940 and studied Fine Arts at the Indian College of Arts and Draughtsmanship, graduating with a diploma in 1963. His interest in the streets of the city of Calcutta, the struggles of the average middle class, the poverty, struggle and violence he witnessed throughout his life shaped his work. With his brush, he was able to capture not just large-scale scenes but finer details in a photo-realistic way like no other.

In later works, we can see his surreal inspirations take over with slight distortions appearing in his art. Women and the truth of society remained motifs dear to his work through the span of his career, using his paintings as social commentary. Bikash was the recipient of the National Award from the Lalit Kala Akademi in both 1971 and 1972, and later received the Padma Shri. His work was also exhibited in solo and group shows nationally and internationally in cities like Yugoslavia, New York, London and Paris. Bikash Bhattacharjee passed away on 18 December 2006.

Born in 1967 in Kerala, India, Tom Vattakuzhy completed his BFA in Printmaking from Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, in 1996 and his MFA from the Faculty of Fine Arts, MS University of Baroda, in 1998. He is known for paintings that evoke domestic quietude, memory, and solitude, tracing the emotional contours shaped by migration and the absences it leaves behind.

A painter, printmaker, and illustrator, Tom is also recognised for his sensitive illustrations in Malayalam literary publications such as Mathrubhumi and Bhashaposhini, and his work is often lauded for its subtle use of light and atmosphere. His visual language influenced the 2023 film Kaathal – The Core, inspiring its lighting and mood.

He has received several honours, including the AIFACS Award (New Delhi, 1997 and 1998), the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Award (1997), the National Scholarship from the Ministry of Human Resource Development (1996), and the Haren Das Award from the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata (1995). His recent exhibitions include the solo exhibition Song of the Dusk at Aicon Contemporary, New York (2022), and participation in a group show held at the Russian Academy of Arts, Moscow (2025). He currently lives and works in his hometown, Muvattupuzha, in Kerala.

Suryakant Lokhande was born in Mumbai in 1969. He was passionate about art since his childhood and so, after completing his secondary schooling, he secured admission at the Sir J J School of Art. After graduating, he worked with advertising agencies like Lintas and Ogilvy & Mather, where he had the opportunity to learn and understand the link between art and media. This experience allowed him to hone his skills and significantly contributed to his artistic sensibilities.

Employing a visual vocabulary that includes elements of pop art and photographic references, the artist ponders on the absurdity of the material world where life is perceived from a superficial vantage point and not a purposeful search for one’s true self. Owing to its pop-neon colour compositions, his canvases emanate a sense of vibrancy and give a message about the present times. They become a ground for his enticing and coquettish protagonists, often women, to do away with all inhibition and stand unrestrained.

Projecting confidence and autonomy, these subjects adopted from the real world are undeterred by social conventions and are liberated with a voice of their own. The artist has held several solo and group exhibitions in India and around the world. Many of his works can be found in the public domain. A prominent piece that was created in collaboration with RPG Art Foundation, called ‘The Camera Man’, was installed outside Mehboob Studios in Bandra and has been greatly admired by celebrities and civilians alike.

Born in 1978, Meetali Singh obtained MFA Graphic Arts from the MS University of Baroda and later did her BFA Painting from Banaras Hindu University. The talented artist has won a National Cultural Scholarship, HRD, Government of India (2004–06). She has been awarded INLAKS Fine Arts, New Delhi, in 2006 apart from Gujarat State Lalit Kala Akademi Award, Ahmedabad (2005); Gold Medal, MS University, Baroda (2004); and Annual Award, Faculty of Visual Arts, BHU (1999–2002).

She has taken part in several important group shows. The artist proclaims that she does not belong to any particular school of art, and does not believe in making a statement through art. She tries to fathom ‘what I am as an individual’, albeit neither in any particular socio-political context nor in context of her immediate milieu. Painting for her is a quest to answer self-posed queries. She lives and works in Vadodara.

Jagannath Mohapatra, born in 1969 at Bhadrak, Orissa, completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1999 from Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, Visva Bharati, and his Masters from the Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, in 2001. He has done his BA (History) from Utkal University and meanwhile studied music. He is an Indian-origin artist of Asian modern and contemporary art.

Even though he was a history student, but chose to be a painter and created contemporary art. His context of the visual domain is linked with the harsh realities of life. Mohapatra is known for his intense visual narrations, based on his experiences and perceptions of sensitive issues. He depicted through his paintings the complexities of contemporary life. He had made realistic portrayals of child labourers and their day-to-day struggles. His art reproduces the fractured future of child labor through construction sites and architectural backdrops as metaphors.

Artist K G Subramanyan summarises him, “He belongs to the generation of young painters who ground their visuals on the unreality of the realistic image that they encounter in billboards and hoardings, in trade journals and television commercials”.

In a short period, the artist has risen to prominence and stature, which reflects in his string solos and group show participation across leading art galleries like Birla Academy, Kolkata; Priyasri Art Gallery, Mumbai; Sarjan Art Gallery, Baroda; Gallery Kaleidoscope, Baroda; ABS Bayer Gallery, Baroda; Chitrakoot Art Gallery, Kolkata; Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai; Son Et Lumiere Gallery, Mumbai; and Nazar Art Gallery, Baroda.

He has won the national scholarship and merit scholarship from Kala Bhavana of Visva Bharati apart from the Nandlal Bose scholarship and Krishna Reddy scholarship. His work also forms part of several leading art collections. He has participated in many art camps and workshops such as printmaking workshops by Japanese Watercolor Process and by Canada Printmakers.

A student of history, Jagannath Mohapatra chooses painterly themes that are contemporary in context. His visual realm is invariably linked to the realities of life. He has received a National Scholarship, Merit Scholarship from Kala Bhavan, Vishva Bharti, Nandadal Bose Scholarship, Lions Club Scholarship of Orissa, and Krishna Reddy Scholarship. His artwork was showcased at the auction house multiple times. The size of the artwork varies in a price range between 433 USD and 10,926 USD. The highest recorded price for his artwork, ‘Pillar to Structure’, is 10,926 USD, sold at AstaGuru Auction House in 2008.