Sayed Haider Raza

Raza was considered one of the most prominent Indian painters of his generation. Born in Babaria in India, Raza studied art from an early age, before moving to Paris in 1950 to study at the École Nationale Supérieure des BeauxArts. Raza was a co-founder of the revolutionary Bombay Progressive Artists' Group (PAG), along with Indian artists Krishna Hawlaji Ara (1914–1985) and Francis Newton Souza (1924–2002). This movement sought to turn away from the influences of European Realism—which dominated much of the academic art of India—and embrace Antar gyan, a uniquely-Indian inner vision. His early works include landscapes, and later moved towards abstraction as he became increasingly influenced by Modernist principles. 1970 was a turning point in Raza’s career, when he developed the concept of Bindu (a personal rebirth) in his art. The works from this period are more intricately linked to Indian cultural themes, and were influenced by his trips back to India. Raza is a founder of the Raza Foundation in India, which gives the Annual Raza Foundation Award to emerging artists. His work is part of many international collections.