Lalu Prasad Shaw, born on 1937 in Bengal, stands as one of India’s most influential artists, celebrated for his paintings, printmaking and more recently, sculptures. His work, deeply rooted in the Bengal School of Art, offers a window into the heart of 20th century Bengal, capturing both its social fabric and inner essence. Shaw’s artistic journey began in his childhood, watching local Malakars sculpt Durga idols and drawing inspiration from the works of Gaganendranath and Abanindranath Tagore. This early fascination ignited a passion that led him to the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Kolkata, where he honed his skills in Western techniques. Yet, Shaw’s art always drew from his Indian roots—particularly from Ajanta cave paintings, Mughal miniatures, Kalighat art and the world of photography. Shaw’s style is distinctive, blending the academic with the traditional, creating a painterly vocabulary that is uniquely his own. His works are known for their simplicity and grace, often using gouache or tempera to create smooth, balanced compositions. The influence of the Company School and the rich tradition of Kalighat painting can be seen in his approach, yet Shaw’s art feels timeless, bridging the past and present in ways that speak to universal human experiences. A key theme in Shaw’s work is his portrayal of the Bengali middle class, particularly the ‘Bhadralok’, a community of intellectuals and gentility. Through his iconic Babus and Bibis, Shaw invites us into their world—a world full of quiet moments and unspoken stories. Whether it’s a woman holding a mirror or a man with a cigarette, Shaw’s minimalist compositions and bold colors capture a sense of stillness, yet these figures are full of life and depth. They are not just portraits but reflections of a society, a way of life that Shaw found both fascinating and poignant. Apart from painting, Shaw has made significant contributions to printmaking, particularly in lithography and intaglio, earning widespread acclaim for his work in the field. In his early thirties, Shaw expanded his horizons into printmaking under the guidance of the legendary Somnath Hore. Through etching and lithography, he began transforming his sketches into abstract prints, exploring complex geometric forms that brought him a new wave of recognition. His work in printmaking was pivotal in the resurgence of the medium in Bengal during the late 1960s. In 2017, at the age of eighty, Shaw ventured into sculpture, presenting his first bronze pieces that captured his beloved ‘Bhadralok’ characters in three dimensions. True to his artistic philosophy, Shaw holds that once the spark of inspiration ignites, the medium becomes secondary. For him, it is not about the medium—it is about the narrative, the message and the transformative power of art to reach beyond form and resonate with the human spirit.