Sudhir Ranjan Khastagir was a highly prominent and versatile figure in the Indian art landscape of the 20th century. Born on 24th September 1907 and passing away on 6th June 1974, he was a master of both painting and sculpture, firmly rooted in the traditions of the Bengal School of Art. A celebrated portrait artist, Khastagir brought dynamism and sensitivity to his subjects, creating vivid impressions of some of the most iconic personalities of his time.
His sit-down portrait studies include a long list of Indian and international luminaries such as Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, J. Krishnamurti, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Vijay Lakshmi Pandit, Arnold Bake, Shamsher Jung Bahadur, and Prithviraj Kapoor, among many others. His ability to capture not only the likeness but also the essence of his subjects made his portraits deeply compelling.
Khastagir’s paintings are instantly recognizable for their swift, spontaneous linework and the vibrant use of color, which lend his compositions a sense of motion, emotion, and lyrical rhythm. His artistic expressions beautifully merge Indian classical aesthetics with modernist exploration.
In 1931, he studied stone carving under the legendary sculptor Ganpat Kashinath Mahatre in Mumbai. His formal art education began at Santiniketan, where he studied under the guidance of Nandalal Bose, one of the most influential mentors of the Bengal School.
In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian art, Sudhir Khastagir was awarded the Padmashri by the Government of India in 1958.
Today, his legacy continues through his paintings, sculptures, and role in shaping modern Indian art education.
