When H.R. Das came to Mumbai in 2006, after finishing his studies, he began working as a muralist in an interior design firm. There was a stark contrast in the environs of where he was working, as compared to the place where he had learned how to paint and flowered as an artist.

Born in 1972 and brought up in Burdwan district of West Bengal, his family was artistically inclined – his father played music in his spare time, and his uncle loved to paint and dance. Even though he took Science in his higher secondary, to become a Doctor like his grandfather – he realized that Art was his calling. After many debates in the household, he took admissions in B.F.A at the Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya located in Khairagarh, Chattisgarh. In Khairgarh, he would sit in open fields along with his batchmates, sketching farm animals.

When he came to Mumbai, he missed those days and began to paint horses, farm animals against bright colored backgrounds. His gentle oxen received much attention, and he was able to quit his job as a muralist and pursue art full-time. His bulls are curve gently around the edges, seemingly gentle, magnanimous in their form, nonetheless. They would remind the Indian audience of Nandi – Shiva’s gate-guardian at Kailash. H.R Das has also made sculptures of his oxen in bright blues and reds, which are patterned or sketched upon beautifully.

Take away a piece of the peaceful Khairgarh with you as you dive into his world of the graceful and powerful bull- full of life, vigor, and color.