Sunil Madhav Sen

About Sunil Madhav Sen

Sunil Madhav Sen was a pioneering Indian modernist known for fusing folk traditions with cubist structure and experimental techniques. Born in Purulia in 1910 and raised in Bankura, his early exposure to rural culture and idol-making deeply shaped his artistic vision.

Though trained in law, he gravitated toward art under the influence of figures like Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, and Atul Bose. His early mastery of portraiture included figures like Swami Vivekananda, Raja Rammohan Roy, and Rabindranath Tagore.

Sen developed a distinctive technique—applying oil paint on paper, then treating it with turpentine and zinc to create watercolour-like translucency. He later incorporated metal, glue, mosaic, and low-relief textures, giving his works a sculptural presence. His themes ranged from folk life and mythology to abstract emotion, often captured through fragmented forms and rhythmic lines.

In 1951, he joined the Calcutta Group, India's first modernist art collective. Despite having no formal art school training, Sen's works reflected deep craftsmanship, originality, and spiritual inquiry.

He passed away in 1979, leaving behind a diverse body of over 500 works, many of which were lost or undocumented. His legacy came to be recognised as that of a forgotten visionary who helped shape modern Indian art.