Legendary Artist Kalidas Karmakar Remembered Six Years After His Passing
Internationally renowned artist Kalidas Karmakar passed away six years ago today. The Bangladesh-born painter and printmaker left an indelible mark on the global art scene with his innovative techniques and thought-provoking performances.
Born in Faridpur on January 10, 1946, Karmakar began his artistic journey in the 1970s. He studied fine arts at the Institute of Fine Art, now the fine art faculty of Dhaka University. Karmakar's career took off with his first solo exhibition at the Bengal Gallery of Fine Arts in Bangladesh, followed by another in New York, USA.
Karmakar's work evolved significantly over the years. In the late '80s, his performances on chars in the River Padma marked a significant turning point, pioneering site-specific art in Bangladesh. He continued to explore mythic and tantric images, innovating etching and aquatint techniques. His international acclaim grew, leading to over 40 solo exhibitions worldwide, including in Poland, the United States, India, Japan, Iran, Italy, Korea, and Hong Kong. Karmakar also integrated performances into his solo exhibitions, both in Dhaka and abroad.
Karmakar's contributions to Bangladesh's art scene were recognised with prestigious awards. He was awarded the Shilpakala Padak in 2016 and the Ekushey Padak in 2018.
Kalidas Karmakar passed away on October 18, 2019, leaving behind a rich legacy in the art world. His innovative techniques, thought-provoking performances, and international recognition have solidified his place as one of Bangladesh's most influential artists.
