Devi Prasad Roy Chowdhury

Devi Prasad Roy Chowdhury

Devi Prasad Roy Chowdhury is a renowned Indian sculptor who played a significant role in the development of modern Indian sculpture. Born on 15 August 1899 in Tejhat, a village in the Rangpur district of Bengal (now in Bangladesh), Roy Chowdhury received his early education at the Jubilee Art School in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and later studied at the Government School of Art. He was deeply influenced by the works of Auguste Rodin and Vincenzo Ragusa, as well as the Indian sculptural traditions, particularly the Gupta period. Roy Chowdhury's sculptures are characterized by their simplicity, elegance, and a deep understanding of the human form. He worked primarily in bronze and plaster, creating both monumental public sculptures and smaller, more intimate pieces. Some of his most famous works include the equestrian statue of Rana Pratap in Udaipur, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Kolkata, and the Gyarah Murti sculpture depicting Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March. Roy Chowdhury was also an influential teacher, serving as the principal of the Government College of Art & Craft in Kolkata from 1928 to 1956. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards, in 1958 in recognition of his contributions to Indian art. Roy Chowdhury's legacy continues to inspire generations of Indian sculptors, and his works remain an integral part of India's cultural heritage.

Indian sculptor, modern Indian sculpture, bronze sculpture, Mahatma Gandhi statue, Padma Bhushan

— Helen James