Born on November 18, 1961, in Patuli, West Bengal, Chandra Bhattacharjee is a distinguished contemporary Indian painter known for his textured, contemplative compositions inspired by rural and tribal life.He graduated with first-class honours from the Indian College of Art and Draughtsmanship in 1986—the same year he received a gold medal from Rabindra Bharati University for his achievements excellence in fine arts.
Bhattacharjee’s artistic journey began with billboard painting and later led him into graphic design with The Economic Times, before he embraced painting full-time. His early exposure to rural India—particularly his interaction with the Santhal tribe—deeply shaped his visual language.His works capture the rustic essence of village life, featuring textures that echo mud walls and cow-dung-coated surfaces—hallmarks of traditional rural Indian architecture.His canvases reflect a quiet balance between the seen and the unseen, the animate and inanimate, capturing a dreamlike harmony. Rendered with a soft, muted palette, delicate brushwork, and subtly layered imagery, Bhattacharjee’s paintings often appear hazy, yet richly evocative. His distinctive use of cross-hatching adds visual depth, while his technique—combining charcoal linework, dry pastel washes, and multiple layers of diluted acrylic—produces a matte, tightly woven surface devoid of sheen.
Chandra has held over 15 solo exhibitions and participated in numerous groups shows across India and abroad, including in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Singapore, Tokyo, Munich, London, New York, and Seoul. His notable international participations include the Adana Biennale in Turkey, Imprints at The Ueno Royal Museum in Tokyo, and the XI Indian Triennale, highlighting the global appeal and relevance of his artistic practice. He is also a regular presence at the India Art Fair, Art Chennai, and Art Singapore, and has contributed to group shows like Divergent Horizons at Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai.
Bhattacharjee lives and works in Kolkata, continuing to draw from the rhythms of village life while experimenting with form, technique, and texture to expand the expressive possibilities of his art.
