The demise of Benu da (Benu Misra), a master and an esteemed artist of the contemporary art world of Assam, seems to have called for the curtain to fall on an era. His distinctive style added a unique dimension to modern art in Assam. Artist Benu da had his first formal training on Art from Guwahati Art School, the first institute in Assam to impart Art education, established by the late artist Jibeswar Boruah. In 1957, he left for Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan for higher studies.

After successfully completing the four-year course on Art, Benu da returned to Assam in 1962 and started his government service by joining the Public Relations department under the Assam government. Meanwhile, Benu da joined Sir Jacob Sasoon School, Bombay, for a few days as an Art teacher only to reinstate himself back in the Public Relations department where he worked till his retirement in the year 2000.

Last Supper

Benu da had started his struggle in Art since the 60s; once he entered the contemporary modern art world of Assam, especially in the arena of publication, he has left behind an incredible instance through the aesthetic and sophisticated style he set out for cover art and descriptive art. In this field, especially the cover art and descriptive art of popular magazines like Navayug, published in the 60s, and Bismoi, published a little later, along with Prakash, published by Assam Publication Board, are remarkable examples.

A Hot News

As an artist, Benu da, a man of extraordinary personality, was a prudent and a successful Art organizer. In the 70s, along with a few young artists like us, Benu da established his brainchild and the leading art institute, the Guwahati Artists’ Guild on July 11, 1976. And today, many new talented artists are being able to reach the international level through the Guild.

The Chair

A hugely talented person, Benu da was a socially and politically conscious artist. Man and his different shades, and life have always been the main themes of the artist’s work. But depiction of disillusionment at par with happiness in a few of Benu da’s paintings is also caught by the eyes of a sensitive art connoisseur.

The renowned artist has several bold drawings and sketches to his credit. His oil paintings like the Death, Last Supper, A Hot News, and The Chair, replete with social and political consciousness, and also accepted by the finest of Art connoisseurs, have heightened the contemporary Art of Assam.

Death

We are indeed saddened by the demise of Benu da, the acclaimed progressive artist of contemporary times and also an Art organizer. But we do hope, the positive thinking and ideals of the artist will always remain as an inspiration for us all.

Jnanendra Barkakati

The author is a renowned artist and sculptor based in Guwahati. A product of Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, Jnanendra Barkakati played a key role in shaping the State Art Gallery while serving as the Exhibition Officer at the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam. He can be reached at [email protected]

Translated from Assamese by Dr Rashmi Buragohain, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Moran College

Photographs of Benu Misra and his paintings courtesy Jnanendra Barkakati