Jamini Roy (1887-1972) is one of the ‘Navratnas’ of Indian Art.  While he studied Western academic styles like impressionism and portraiture, he made a deliberate return to his roots of Bengali folk art, redefining the parameters of modern Indian art by integrating elements of traditional Indian aesthetics with modern sensibilities.

His painting ‘Holi’ (c. 1930), featured at the Museum of Art & Photography in Bengaluru, captures the festival’s vibrant spirit through bold lines and earthy tones, highlighting his distinctive artistic identity and shift from academic realism to indigenous styles.