Sankho Chaudhuri

Sankho Chaudhuri

Sankho Chaudhuri was an Indian sculptor and a well-known figure in the Indian art scene. Famous sculptor Ram Kinkar Baij was his teacher.

Sankho Chaudhuri was born on 25 February 1916 in Bihar. In 1939 he graduated in B.A.from Visva-Bharati University. In 1945 he did a Diploma in Fine Art in Sculpture, from Kala - Bhavan. He was influenced by Istvan Beothy whom he had met in Paris. His themes included female figures and wildlife. He was worked in a wide range of media, and has produced large-scale reliefs.

Chaudhuri was known for carving his pieces out of wood and stone and moulding in metal. He also used black and white marble. He had a sensitive feel for material which was transformed into a lyrical rendering of form. He was expert in moulding terracotta portraits which was done in metal or in stone. His portraits had a rough skin and a rough texture. He was drawn to the smooth and abstract forms of Romanian sculptor Brancusi while he stayed in Paris.

Awards received by Sankho Chaudhuri:
1956: National Award by Lalit Kala Akademi.
1971: Padmashri by President of India.
1974: D.Litt (Honoris Casua) by the Centre Escolar University, Philippines.
1979: Aban-Gagan Award from Visva-Bharati University.
1982: Fellow, Lalit Kala Akademi.
1997: Honorary Doctorate from Rabindra Bharati University.
1998: Desikottama (Honorary Doctorate) by Viswa Bharati University.
2000-02: Kali Das Samman.
2002: Aditya Birla Kala Shikhar Puraskar.
2004: "Lalit Kala Ratna" Honoured by Lalit Kala Akademi.
2004: "Lifetime achievement Award" Legend of India.

His Major exhibitions include:
1946: 1st One-man show, Mumbai.
1954: Exhibition of Contemporary Sculpture, National Gallery of Modern Art.
1957: One-man show in New Delhi.
1969: One-man show in Bombay.
1971: Retrospective show: National Gallery of Modern Art.
1979: Joint Exhibition with Ira Chaudhuri, Bombay.
1987: One-man show, New Delhi
1987: One-man show, of Sketches and drawing, Kolkata.
1991: One-man show, Calcutta.
1992: One-man show at LTG Gallery, New Delhi.
1995: One -man show, Cymroza Art Gallery, Bombay.
2004: One-man show at Baroda, Organised by Sarjan Art Gallery.

Sankho Choudhari passed away in Delhi 27th August 2006. He was a pioneer who introduced the 'non-academic' genre of sculpture in the newly established institutions as Baroda in the 1950's. He nurtured many institutions like Lalit Kala Academy. He was also instrumental in building up the craft museum at New Delhi.

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