Bikash Bhattacharjee was one of the most significant figurative painters of post-Independence India, whose art was deeply rooted in the city of Kolkata, where he lived and worked throughout his life. Growing up in the post-Independence period, he witnessed the social and architectural transformations of the city, including the decline of affluent households and the conversion of grand North Kolkata mansions into shared, crowded living spaces. As a solitary teenager, he wandered through neighborhoods such as Shobhabazar, Bagbazar, Kumartuli, Jorasanko, and Chitpur, closely observing street life, architecture, and human interactions. These early encounters with narrow lanes, rooftops, and everyday urban scenes formed the visual and emotional foundation of his artistic language.

Trained in academic realism, Bhattacharjee developed a disciplined and meticulous approach to drawing and painting that remained central to his practice. At a time when Indian art was increasingly moving toward abstraction, he chose to remain committed to figuration, creating a powerful visual language that reflected urban life, psychological tension, and social realities. Alongside his studio practice, he taught at the Government College of Art, Kolkata, where he mentored generations of artists. Although a cerebral attack in 2000 brought his painting career to an end, his legacy continues through his students and his enduring contribution to Indian contemporary art.