S. H. Raza (1922–2016) was one of India’s most celebrated modern artists, known for a lifelong exploration of nature, memory, and spirituality through evolving visual languages. Born in Babaria, a village in Madhya Pradesh, Raza’s
S. H. Raza (1922–2016) was one of India’s most celebrated modern artists, known for a lifelong exploration of nature, memory, and spirituality through evolving visual languages. Born in Babaria, a village in Madhya Pradesh, Raza’s early experiences with the forests and landscapes of central India shaped his artistic sensibility. This deep connection with nature remained a constant as his work moved from expressionist landscapes to Cubism and, eventually, to a distinctive geometric abstraction.
Raza studied at the J.J. School of Art in Bombay, where he also co-founded the influential Progressive Artists’ Group in 1947, alongside F. N. Souza and M. F. Husain. In 1950, he moved to Paris on a French government scholarship, where his style evolved under the influence of European modernism. Inspired by Paul Cézanne and later Abstract Expressionists like Rothko, Raza shifted toward non-representational art, favouring emotional expression through colour and form.
In the 1970s, Raza’s focus turned inward, incorporating Indian spiritual concepts. The bindu—a central point symbolizing origin and energy—became a recurring motif, representing a fusion of geometry, metaphysics, and memory. This became the hallmark of his mature style.
Raza’s work featured in major international exhibitions, including the São Paulo Biennale and the Royal Academy in London. Honoured with the Padma Shri (1981) and Padma Bhushan (2007), his legacy endures through his deep impact on Indian modern art.
He passed away on 23 July 2016, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire.
S. H. Raza (1922–2016) was one of India’s most celebrated modern artists, known for a lifelong exploration of nature, memory, and spirituality through evolving visual languages. Born in Babaria, a village in Madhya Pradesh, Raza’s early experiences with the forests and landscapes
S. H. Raza (1922–2016) was one of India’s most celebrated modern artists, known for a lifelong exploration of nature, memory, and spirituality through evolving visual languages. Born in Babaria, a village in Madhya Pradesh, Raza’s early experiences with the forests and landscapes of central India shaped his artistic sensibility. This deep connection with nature remained a constant as his work moved from expressionist landscapes to Cubism and, eventually, to a distinctive geometric abstraction.
Raza studied at the J.J. School of Art in Bombay, where he also co-founded the influential Progressive Artists’ Group in 1947, alongside F. N. Souza and M. F. Husain. In 1950, he moved to Paris on a French government scholarship, where his style evolved under the influence of European modernism. Inspired by Paul Cézanne and later Abstract Expressionists like Rothko, Raza shifted toward non-representational art, favouring emotional expression through colour and form.
In the 1970s, Raza’s focus turned inward, incorporating Indian spiritual concepts. The bindu—a central point symbolizing origin and energy—became a recurring motif, representing a fusion of geometry, metaphysics, and memory. This became the hallmark of his mature style.
Raza’s work featured in major international exhibitions, including the São Paulo Biennale and the Royal Academy in London. Honoured with the Padma Shri (1981) and Padma Bhushan (2007), his legacy endures through his deep impact on Indian modern art.
He passed away on 23 July 2016, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire.
