BHUBANESWAR: Eminent artist Ajit Keshari Ray was recently accorded D.Litt by Utkal University of Culture during its third convocation.
Ray who studied Fine Arts and Crafts at Santiniketan in the 40s and then a specialised course in stone carving, modelling and graphic art in the Anglo-French Art Centre, London, imbibed both the oriental and occidental influences on his works.
His realism has a touch of a modernity and his works like Flight-II and Cyclone (oil on canvas) made a harbinger of modernism in art scenario in Odisha. The ‘Flight’, in fact, was one of the first works of art to be exhibited in the Rashtriya Lalit Kala Akademi here. He also served as the principal of the Khallikote College of Art and Craft.
The equestrian form captivated him and he produced a number of works that are abstract yet remarkably lyrical. His prints and sand stone sculptures are testimony to his artistic journey over close to five decades.
“It always feels great to be appreciated for your work,” said the 91-year-old artist.