Reviving the Legacy of Artist Hiralal Karmakar
- With a vision to preserve and promote traditional art, Mr. Hiralal Karmakar established the Bankura Traditional Art Center in his home village. What began as a small cottage institute soon evolved into a vibrant hub of creativity, where he shared his artistic knowledge and skills with local villagers. Through his dedication and mentorship, countless individuals discovered their own artistic potential, helping to revive and sustain the rich heritage of Bankura’s traditional art forms.
- At the same time, artist Hiralal Karmakar continued to refine his skills and develop a distinctive artistic style of his own. He created remarkable sculptures such as a 3-foot “Manasa Mata”, a 5-foot “Durga”, and many other representations of gods and goddesses — blending his mastery of wood carving, stone carving, and the use of Aegle marmelos (Bael) wood. These extraordinary works of devotion and craftsmanship earned him multiple State Awards from the Government of West Bengal in the years 1979–80, 1980–81, 1985–86, and 1990–91, recognizing his contribution to the preservation and innovation of Bengal’s traditional art forms.
- Over more than two decades of dedicated work, Mr. Hiralal Karmakar trained over 150 artisans from his own village in the traditional handicrafts of Bankura, nurturing a new generation of skilled craftsmen and preserving the timeless legacy of Bengal’s folk art.
- In 1993, artist Hiralal Karmakar dedicated himself wholeheartedly to creating one of his most intricate works — a one-inch stone carving depicting the divine scene of “Mahāvrata Kurukshetra” and Lord Krishna’s Viśvarūpa Darśana (Mahabharat Geeta). This miniature masterpiece reflected not only his extraordinary craftsmanship but also his deep spiritual devotion to traditional Indian art. The artwork brought him national recognition, earning him the prestigious National Award from the Government of India. He received this honor from Honorable President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma in 1994–95, marking a defining moment in his illustrious artistic career.
