Ghats of Varanasi

Subrata Malakar is a Kolkata-based visual artist whose works reflect the rhythm, nostalgia, and lived reality of Indian urban life. Trained in Western painting, he holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts (B.V.A.) in Western Style from the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Kolkata, where he graduated with first-class honours.

Working primarily in watercolour and acrylic, Malakar is known for his impressionistic approach, expressive brushwork, and atmospheric use of colour. His paintings often depict Kolkata’s streets, trams, heritage architecture, and sacred cityscapes such as Banaras, capturing fleeting moments of light, movement, and emotion.

Watercolour, a medium he deeply values for its transparency and discipline, plays a central role in his practice. Through layered washes and spontaneous strokes, he translates everyday scenes into evocative visual narratives that balance realism with emotional depth. His work also explores the psychological connection between human life and its surrounding environment, using urban spaces as metaphors for memory and time.

Subrata Malakar has participated in several exhibitions across India, and his works are part of private collections in India and abroad. His paintings continue to resonate with collectors and viewers for their warmth, immediacy, and intimate portrayal of city life.
The artist passed away in 2015.