Hailing from Mandla in Madhya Pradesh, Raza’s artistic journey commenced at The Sir J.J. School of Art in Bombay, where he studied from 1943 to 1947. As a founding member of the Progressive Artists’ Group, he played a crucial role in igniting a new wave of modern Indian art.

A significant turning point in Raza’s career occurred in 1950, when he received a French government scholarship to study at the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris. The City of Lights became the crucible for his transformative vision, and in 1956, he made history as the first non-French artist to be awarded the prestigious Prix de la Critique.

Raza, a maestro of his craft, transitioned from depicting the human form to embracing the grandeur of landscapes. However, the 1960s marked a period of artistic metamorphosis as he ventured into ‘gestural expressionism,’ an abstract style that infused his work with new vitality. Anchored in his childhood memories—the embrace of forests and the vibrant hues of Indian markets—the black dot, or Bindu, became a meditative compass for him. These cherished fragments of memory were transmuted into geometric lines on canvas, exploding in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors and embodying the essence of tantra.