Biren De elected Lalit Kala Akademi's Fellow

New Delhi, Oct 4 (UNI) Eminent Bengali painter Biren De, who pioneered the distinct Tantric Art style, has been elected a Fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi (LKA) in recognition of his lifetime contribution to Indian Art.

The honour, the highest award of the Akademi, will be bestowed on Mr De by LKA Chairman R B Bhaskaran at a function here on Friday.

A portfolio of his paintings with an introduction by noted art critic Keshav Malik, will be released on the occasion by Akademi Vice-President C L Porinchukutty, as part of the Fellowship award function.

''This will be an ideal gift and a highly deserving honour to Mr De, who will be turning 80 on October 8,'' the Akademi said in a statement.

A Fullbright scholar, he taught at the College of Art, New Delhi.

Though he excelled in portraits, he started working intuitively to create paintings of philosophic vision by the late 50s.

''Energy, luminosity and the numen (divine spirit) are the fundamental ideas behind his works...It could even be said that Biren De was the only artist by the late 50s doing the works that have the characteristic features of the trend that emerged later as Tantric Art,'' it said.

The works of the painter can also be appreciated for their sheer painting qualities and the delightful forms.

''Colours, applied in canvas in such a way that become translucent and bright, capture the eye of viewers and take their minds to the highest level of meditation. This is a very significant aspect of his works,'' it said, adding that the masterly paintings of Mr De had changed the sensibilties of art lovers.

UNI SKS PA HS1734