Manu Munshi

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Manu Munshi (1924-2009) was an Indian artist who is specially credited for 'Mother of Pearl Artistry'. He was born on 2nd August,1924 in Chowgachhi Zamindar family of Bengal (now in Jessore, Bangladesh).

Manu Munshi
Born (1924-08-02) 2 August 1924 (age 100)
Jessore, Bengal, British India
Died20 February 2009(2009-02-20) (aged 84)
NationalityIndian
Spouse(s)Maya Munshi

Early life

Munshi was born in the zamindar family of Chowgachhi (now in Jessore, Bangladesh) on 2nd August in 1924. His father Anukul Charan Munshi is still considered to first implement the Mother of Pearl artistry in India. Munshi was nurtured in the holy artistic environment with the inspiration from both his father and his elder brother Artist Annada Munshi (regarded as the Father of Indian Commercial Art by many). After completing Matriculation, getting driven by Annada's wish, Munshi joined the Studio of eminent artist Prahlad Karmakar, as a beginner before he joined the Art School in Kolkata.

Marriage

Munshi got married to Maya Munshi who belonged to a family named Bose from Khanyan, Hooghly. Maya was very supportive to make Munshi carry on all his art activities during his lifetime.

Career

Munshi started his career in the international advertising company J. Walter Thompson. Later he joined the Government Arts and Craft Board, but followed by his resignation from there, he joined All India Handicraft Board where he had been working for 30 years before he retired.

Legacy

The former Chief Minister of West Bengal Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy sent his renowned Mother of Pearl art work titled 'Gandhiji's Noakhali Abhiyan' as the best representitive of 'Charu and Karu art of Bengal' to America. The patrons of his art works include ample number of legendary personalities like Satyajit Ray, Artist Annada Munshi (his elder brother and Father of Indian Commercial Art), Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, Barrister Subodh Chandra Roy, Artist Subho Tagore and so on. One of his legendary art works in the field of Mother of Pearl artistry is 'Indira Gandhi' that is still one of the highest examples to represent Indian Fine Arts on the major platform of world. He holds the credit of representing Tagore in different artistic poses nicely carved with metallic plates.

Death

On 20th February, 2009 he breathed his last at his own residence in Bediapara, DumDum, Kolkata after struggling with huge loads of old age diseases.

Notable works

1. Indira Gandhi (Mother of Pearl artistry)

2. Gandhiji's Noakhali Abhiyan (Mother of Pearl artistry)

3. Nur Jahan (Mother of Pearl artistry)

4. Tagore (in different forms carved by metallic plates)

Patrons

1. Satyajit Ray

2. Annada Munshi

3. Bidhan Chandra Roy

4. Barrister Subodh Chandra Roy

5. Subho Tagore

6. Humayun Kabir

7. Jehangir Kabir

References