Rajesh Kargutkar | Colour Day

Courtesy of the artist 

Rajesh Kargutkar’s Colour Day is part of a series of paintings that captures the rich stories within Mumbai’s historic chawls. The artist grew up in one of these densely populated tenement complexes in the working-class neighbourhood of Lalbaug, where seven family members squeezed in their single-room flat. In the painting, a joyous community is depicted throwing coloured water and power in celebration of Holi, or the Hindu festival of colours. The tight framing brings viewers up close into the action, offering an intimate glimpse into the artist’s lived experience.  

Kargutkar holds a BFA and an MFA from Sir. J. J. School of Art in Mumbai. In 2015, he was invited by the President of India to participate in the prestigious Artist-In-Residence Programme at Rashtrapai Bhawan. He received the Lalibai Dharmdas Bhambani Scholarship from Bombay Art Society, Maharashtra State Award, the National Scholarship (Visual Arts) from Indian Ministry of Culture, the Bendre Foundation Award and the Indo-Swiss Student Award from the Consulate General of Switzerland.