Ramkinkar Baij
Pioneer of modern Indian sculpture
- Lived
- 74 yrs
- 1906 – 1980
- Works listed
- 3
- Sculpture
- Honours
- 1
- Most recent 1970
- Profile views
- 0
- 0 followers
Ramkinkar Baij was a sculptor and painter regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Indian sculpture. His monumental open-air works at Santiniketan, such as Santhal Family, brought rural life and modern form together. He died in 1980.
Biography
From Bankura
Ramkinkar Baij grew up in a poor family in Bankura and painted posters for the freedom movement as a teenager. In 1925 he joined Kala Bhavana at Santiniketan, where he studied under Nandalal Bose.
Open-air sculpture
At Santiniketan he created large outdoor sculptures in cement, concrete and laterite, such as Santhal Family (1938) and Mill Call, depicting the lives of Santhal tribal people and workers with strong, simplified forms.
Teacher and painter
He headed the sculpture department at Kala Bhavana for many years and also painted in watercolour and oils. His later works include the large Yaksha and Yakshi figures at the Reserve Bank of India building in Delhi.
Honours
He received the Padma Bhushan in 1970 and died in Calcutta on 2 August 1980. His life has inspired novels and films in Bengali.
Timeline
-
1906
Born in Bankura, Bengal Presidency (now West Bengal)
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1925
Joins Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan
-
1938
Santhal Family
-
1970
Padma Bhushan
-
1980
Dies in Calcutta
-
1980
Died, aged 74
Notable works
-
1938
Santhal Family Sculpture
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1956
Mill Call Sculpture
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—
Yaksha and Yakshi Sculpture
Reserve Bank of India, Delhi.
Awards and honours
-
Padma Bhushan
1970
Did you know?
-
1
He painted posters for the freedom movement as a boy.
-
2
His sculptures stand in the open air at Santiniketan.
-
3
He often depicted Santhal tribal life.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Ramkinkar Baij?
Ramkinkar Baij was a sculptor and painter regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Indian sculpture. His monumental open-air works at Santiniketan, such as Santhal Family, brought rural life and modern form together. He died in 1980.
When did Ramkinkar Baij die?
Ramkinkar Baij died on 2 August 1980 at the age of 74.
Where is Ramkinkar Baij from?
Ramkinkar Baij was born in Bankura, Bengal Presidency (now West Bengal).
What is Ramkinkar Baij known for?
Ramkinkar Baij is best known for Santhal Family; open-air sculptures at Santiniketan; Yaksha and Yakshi at the Reserve Bank of India, Delhi.
What awards has Ramkinkar Baij received?
Notable honours include Padma Bhushan (1970).
References
- Ramkinkar Baij — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Ramkinkar Baij — Invaluable artist page. Invaluable. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Ramkinkar Baij — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- Ramkinkar Baij (Q3345966) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Ramkinkar Baij”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 2 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Ramkinkar Baij.” TrackFame, last updated 3 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/ramkinkar-baij
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