Sanjay Bhattacharya – The young phenomenon who took the art world by storm barely a decade or so back and is regarded as one of the youngest masters of the Indian art scene today.

The exquisite detail and form, the delicate treatment of light and shade, the absolute realism of these oil on canvas paintings are nothing but sheer ecstasy for the viewer.

Born in 1958 in Calcutta, Sanjay Bhattacharya was youngest of four children of a retired accounts officer. After finishing school, he decided enough was enough as far as academics were concerned and joined Government College of Arts and Crafts in Calcutta. He was there from 1977 to 1982 and graduated with a diploma in fine arts.

Following his graduation, Sanjay Bhattacharya joined the Ad agency Clarion at their Delhi office as an illustrator. Having to paint mundane objects like Tyres was not his cup of tea and he soon left and migrated to Hindustan Thomson Associates. It was here that he got the freedom to freelance and put together a set of watercolours for his first exhibition.

The exhibition, held at Dhoomimal Gallery, was a huge success and launched Sanjay Bhattacharya as an artist of repute. All his paintings were sold within the week. This was the year 1988, and there was no looking back.

It has been 15 years since that first exhibition, 15 years of numerous shows all over the world, numerous accolades and awards and an all round appreciation as a master in his field.

Sanjay Bhattacharya’s paintings tell a story in themselves. They are absolutely realistic, photographic in their recording of detail and mesmeric in effect. The paintings focus a lot on middle-class homes and areas of Calcutta with exquisite detail and light and shade. They hint about the drama, which revolves around people’s lives. His sceneries too have similar treatment.