He is a still life artist who loves to paint in oil. Biraj Kumar Paul respects abstract art, but is not of that genre. As a teacher, he believes that an artist must first learn form before trying to break it. Paul is also one of the few artists who still likes to paint in oil. It takes up a lot of time, but the outcome is far more impressive and lasting, he says. Two large canvases in his room, based on still life, showing musical instruments in a classical singer’s house, are among his latest oil paintings that Paul exhibited at the Academy of Fine Arts in December last year.

“The effect of colours is far brighter and attractive in oil than acrylic paint. The painting also lasts longer,” explained Paul. It is not that Paul never uses other media. Currently, he is working on small paintings on nature that will be shown at the Charukala Utsav at Nandan from February 27. These paintings are made with acrylic. Another medium size canvas with an apple as subject placed on a mat, is also acrylic. “These are some of the few works that I have done in acrylic. But most of my paintings at exhibitions and those that I have sold, are oil paintings,” said Paul.

Paul makes his own canvases. “I still make my own canvas and treat it before painting on it. What is available in the market is never to my satisfaction. Also, painting on untreated canvas can cause fungus,” said Paul. His subjects are generally still life, figurative, landscapes and nature. “Many of my subjects are from my imagination. I sometimes mix reality with my imagination,” said Paul.

Being an artist was an impractical proposition for Biraj Kumar Paul, considering his socio-economic background. Belonging to a farmer’s family in Midnapore, education for the family was too much to ask, let alone learning art. However, creativity was in Paul’s blood and he gradually became a self-taught artist. “I did not know what colours are. My mother’s alta was red, soot from the lantern was black, pui (Malabar spinach) seeds were crushed to make violet colour and leaves were ground to make green. I tell my students today that they are lucky to find colour pallets and tubes of paint in front of them when they work,” said Paul.

After completing school, Biraj found his way to Rabindra Bharati University in 1974, where he took admission in painting. “I came to know about the course from a boy in our village, who had taken admission in Rabindra Bharati University. I decided that I would study art because that was the only thing that I liked. There was no inspiration or motivation from people around me,” said Paul. In 1981, Paul passed his MA and joined as a teacher in Kisalaya School in Andul. Gradually he shifted to Howrah from Midnapore. After staying for some years at Santragachhi, Paul shifted to Andul in 1991.

While teaching, Paul joined Painters’ Orchestra, a well-know artists’ group in Calcutta with members like Partha Pratim Deb and Suchibrata Deb. At present, Paul is the secretary of the group. He has participated in numerous exhibitions around India from Painters’ Orchestra. “Every year, I participate in at least three to four exhibitions in Calcutta or outside,” said Paul. The artist is also part of a four-member group, We are 4, that does exhibitions around India and abroad. After teaching in RBU and at home, Paul now has a lot of time to spare for his own works. “I have just prepared another large canvas. I will start working on it soon,” he said.

MORE ABOUT PAUL

DoB: February 1, 1955
Born in: Midnapore
Education: MA (Painting)
Family: Wife, son, daughter (married)
Loves: Travelling
Hates: Misbehaviour

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph, Calcutta / Front Page> Story / by Daila Mukherjee / Friday – February 20th, 2015