21/03/2026
A Sudden Farewell
Artist Abhijit Roy — “The Bull”
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The world of Indian art has lost a powerful and unforgettable presence. Abhijit Roy, known to many as “The Bull,” passed away suddenly, leaving behind a body of work marked by strength, intensity, and deep individuality. He was not only a painter and sculptor, but also a graphic artist, photographer, athlete, and teacher. In his New Delhi home, where he lived alone, he surrounded himself with orchids, rare plants, pets, and the many quiet companions of a creative life.
Abhijit Roy was born on 20 January 1962 in Krishnanagar, West Bengal, into a Bengali Rajput family. He was the third among five brothers and one sister. His father, Ranjit Singh Roy, and his mother, Shikha Devi, saw in him from an early age a rare mix of energy, discipline, and fierce independence. He studied at CMS St. John’s High School and later at Kavi Bijaylal Institute, where he also became known for his athletic talent.
His formal journey in art began at IndianArt College under Rabindra Bharati University, where he completed his V.A.F.A. degree. He later went to the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University, Baroda, and earned a Post-Diploma in Graphic Design. Over the years, he became associated with important artistic institutions and traditions, including the Lalit Kala Akademi in Delhi and the broader artistic legacy of Santiniketan’s Kala Bhavan. His work stood firmly between tradition and experimentation, drawing from both with confidence.
What made Abhijit Roy truly distinct was the force of his imagination. One of the most striking features of his work was the recurring image of the black bull. In his celebrated Bull Series, the animal was not just a visual subject but a symbol of energy, rebellion, courage, and raw life force. The bull seemed to embody the artist himself—restless, bold, and impossible to ignore. His use of techniques such as chine-collé, lithography, etching, acrylic, and bronze showed both technical skill and creative fearlessness.
Later, he developed the Knife Series, especially the body of work titled Bold and Beauty, where he explored the uneasy closeness of beauty and violence, softness and aggression. In these works, abstraction and form pushed against one another, creating tension that felt both emotional and philosophical. His colours—especially black, red, and orange—became part of his artistic identity. They gave his work a burning intensity, while moments of softness suggested an inward search for peace.
His art travelled widely through exhibitions and workshops in India, London, Sydney, Germany, and other places abroad. But perhaps his most meaningful work was not only what he created for galleries, but what he gave to younger generations. In 1984, in his hometown Krishnanagar, he founded the Sri Ramakrishna Pathagar Charukala Shiksha Kendra, an art school that became an important space for learning and practice. Many young artists were shaped by his teaching and influence. Over time, others such artists became a part of that creative circle.
His personal life, however, had grown quieter in recent times. About six months ago, his relationship with his artist wife Shanti came to an end. In the last few weeks, he had reportedly been facing both physical pain and emotional strain. Then, on the night of 13 March 2026, at his home in New Delhi, Abhijit Roy passed away suddenly.
His mortal remains were brought back to Krishnanagar, where he was cremated. He is survived by his elderly mother, his brothers and their families, and a large circle of friends, students, colleagues, and admirers who are now mourning his loss.
News of his death spread quickly through artistic communities. Those who knew him personally, worked beside him, or learned from him have all spoken of the same thing: his immense force of personality, his originality, and the mark he left on others. For his family, students, and fellow artists, this loss feels deeply personal. For the art world, it is the loss of a singular voice.
Abhijit Roy’s absence will be deeply felt. But his work remains. It survives in every canvas, every print, every sculpture, and in the lives of the artists he guided. He did not move gently through life. He lived with force, conviction, and unmistakable presence.
Abhijit Roy did not simply create art.
He lived it fully, fiercely, and without compromise.
