Kumkum Munshi or Kumkum Munsi (Bengali: কুমকুম মুন্সী) (28 December, 1941– 27 August, 2001) was a noted Indian painter in the art scene based on rubber-solution in Kolkata. Munshi excelled at realistic painting, graphic art, and abstract painting in addition to painting with rubber solutions. Paul Jackson Pollock, the renowned American painter whose contributions to the Abstract Expressionist style are indelible, was a major inspiration to Munshi. At a very young age, Munshi, along with Lady Ranu Mukherjee and Rathin Maitra, was one of the founders of the Sketch Club of Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata.[1]
Kumkum Munsi | |
|---|---|
 Munsi at Max Mullar Bhavan during his art exhibition | |
| Born | 28 December 1941 Born Kumkum Munshi British India |
| Died | 27 August 2001 (aged 59) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | Government College of Art and Craft, Calcutta Calcutta University (completed Arts Appreciation course) |
| Known for | Painting |
| Parent(s) | Annada Munshi (father) Jayati Devi (mother) |
| Relatives | Anukul Charan Munshi (grandfather) Pratip Munshi (cousin once removed) Manu Munshi (uncle) Manto Munshi (brother) |
At the Government College of Art and Craft in Calcutta, he always placed top in his class and was a close friend of Jogen Chowdhury.[2] He blended the finest methods from the East and the West into his artwork and way of life. Despite having his roots in native customs, Europe frequently appreciated his artistic fame.[3]
Solo exhibitions edit
In Europe, Munshi's style of painting was highly regarded, particularly in the Scandinavian countries. His paintings were displayed twice at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture in 1974 and 1975. Additionally, his works had been exhibited thrice in Sweden and other Scandinavian nations in 1986, 1990 and 1995, respectively.[4]
Style of paintings edit
Munshi was one of the pioneering painters from India to develop utmost mixture of oriental and western approaches in his paintings which also depicted the vivid way of life which was highly praised in European countries. The central characteristics of majority of his paintings are Abstract expressionism. Most of his inspirations for his paintings were deeply based on rural livelihoods of Bengal. The central attraction of his paintings was Non-Piyuvtive Composition from different colour choices with rubber solution.
In 2001, after his death, the news was covered by The Statesman where it was written
He combined the best of the East and the West in his work and lifestyle. Though rooted in the native tradition, his artistic temperament was often closer to Europe.
— The Statesman, Leaving a void.
Alongside, sculpting unique glistening masks with self-prepared pigments and papier mache made him popular in the end of 20th century in the field of commercialisation of fine arts.
Death edit
On August 27, 2001, Munshi passed away at his home in Kolkata's Tala Park. Munshi was remembered by fellow painters of West Bengal in the premises of Government College of Art and Craft in Kolkata.
Legacy edit
The Tata group commemorated the late Kumkum Munshi with their calendar featuring his paintings in 2002.[1][3]
References edit
- ^ a b "Santanu Ghosh: মুন্সিয়ানায় চল্লিশ পুরুষ (in Bengali)">Santanu Ghosh. "Munshianay Chollis Purush" Publisher: Dey's Publishing
- ^ "CIMA: Jogen Chowdhury: His Life and Times">CIMA. "Jogen Chowdhury: His Life and Times" Publisher: CIMA (2006)[1]
- ^ a b "Santanu Ghosh: Binodane Paikpara Belgachia">শান্তনু ঘোষ। "বিনোদনে পাইকপাড়া বেলগাছিয়া (in Bengali)" publisher: Dey's Publishing
- ^ In memory of Sri Kumkum Munshi (1941 – 2001)। "In memory of Sri Kumkum Munshi (1941 – 2001)" work: Lars Eklund[2]
- ^ "The Statesman: Leaving a void">The Statesman. "Munshianay Chollis Purush" Publisher: The Statesman