Towards Heaven through Hell Bijan Choudhury Oil on Canvas 91 X 126 NGMA Delhi Bijan Chowdhury, born in Faridpur in present-day Bangladesh, relocated to Calcutta to pursue studies at the Government School of Art. However, his involvement in leftist activities led to his expulsion. Undeterred, he continued his artistic journey at the Government Institute of Arts in Dacca, under the guidance of his former mentor, Zainul Abedin, graduating in 1953. Returning to Calcutta, Chowdhury emerged as a prominent figure in the city's art scene. He co-founded the Society of Contemporary Artists in 1959 and established the Calcutta Painters group in 1964, alongside Nikhil Biswas, Prokash Karmakar, Rabin Mondal, and others. Chowdhury drew from Calcutta's rich folk and urban art traditions, integrating elements such as Kalighat pats, clay dolls, Godabari Putul, as well as the stylistic influences of Jamini Roy and Zainul Abedin. Additionally, he found inspiration in the works of modernist masters like Picasso. His artistic style seamlessly blended primitive, ancient, and folk elements, transcending geographical boundaries.