"Taj Mahal in Sunset Glow" Painting

Ananta Mandal is an award-winning, internationally recognised contemporary Indian artist with over two decades of experience in the art world. He graduated from the Government College of Art & Craft, Calcutta University, Kolkata, in 2007, and currently lives and works in Mumbai, India. An expressive and imaginative painter, Ananta works primarily in impressionist and surrealist styles, across a wide range of mediums including watercolour, oil, acrylic, and charcoal. Over time, he has developed a highly individual style that is deeply contemporary in its sensibilities. His paintings are particularly celebrated for their realistic urban landscapes, where every brushstroke captures the vibrant energy of city life. His subjects range from dynamic figurative movements, festive atmospheres, seascapes, the glorious Varanasi Ghats - the spiritual heart of India, Bengal’s Durga festival, horses in motion, charging bulls, and tranquil lakes, to the nostalgia of vintage steam trains. His art also embraces the tropical desert and the many moods of nature, portraying fleeting moments with remarkable brilliance. Beyond his urban themes, his surrealistic works further reveal his imaginative depth. Mandal has been holding regular solo exhibitions since his college days, presenting 18 solo shows to date. His first was at the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata (2004). His works have been showcased in numerous cities across India and internationally, at venues including the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Mumbai, and World Art Dubai, UAE among others. He has been featured in numerous international watercolour society exhibitions, including those of the Royal Watercolour Society, London, and the San Diego Watercolor Society, USA. Ananta Mandal has won more than 40 awards in India and abroad. His accolades include the First Place Award from the Watercolour Art Society–Houston, USA (2013), the Winsor & Newton Excellence Award from the Northwest Watercolor Society, USA (2012), the Award of Excellence from the San Diego Watercolor Society, USA (2006), the Award for the Best Watercolour Painting from the Government of Bengal (2005), and the Award for Best Landscape in Watercolour from The Bombay Art Society, Mumbai (2006 and 2011), among many others.