S. H. Raza
Painter known for the bindu and a founder of the Progressive Artists’ Group
- Lived
- 94 yrs
- 1922 – 2016
- Works listed
- 2
- Painting
- Honours
- 4
- Most recent 2015
- Profile views
- 2
- 0 followers
S. H. Raza was a painter who co-founded the Progressive Artists’ Group and spent six decades in France. His mature abstract works, built around the bindu — a dot symbolising the source of creation — made him one of India’s most celebrated modern artists.
Biography
Early life
Raza grew up in the forested Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh, where his father was a forest ranger. He later said that a village teacher, to help him concentrate, drew a dot on the wall and asked him to stare at it — the origin of the bindu that dominated his later art.
From landscapes to the bindu
His early work was expressionist landscapes; in France he moved towards abstraction influenced by the School of Paris and American abstract expressionism. From 1980 he turned to Indian philosophy, painting the bindu, the triangle and the colours of Indian rituals in series such as Bindu, Prakriti and Germination. His painting Saurashtra sold in 2010 for over ₹16 crore, then a record for Indian art. The Raza Foundation, which he established, supports young artists and writers.
Career
Raza studied in Nagpur and at the Sir J. J. School of Art in Bombay, and in 1947 co-founded the Progressive Artists’ Group with F. N. Souza and M. F. Husain. In 1950 he moved to France, where he lived and worked for about 60 years; in 1956 he became the first non-French artist to win the Prix de la Critique.
The bindu
From the 1980s his work turned to Indian spiritual themes, built around the bindu, triangles and the colours of the Indian landscape. He returned to India in 2010 and died in New Delhi on 23 July 2016. He received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, and France made him a Commander of the Legion of Honour in 2015.
Legacy
Raza is regarded as one of the masters of Indian modernism, whose spiritual abstraction bridged Indian philosophy and Western modern art. His works are held by major museums, and the Raza Foundation he endowed supports young Indian artists and writers through fellowships, exhibitions and publications.
Timeline
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1922
Born in Babaria, Mandla district, Central Provinces (now Madhya Pradesh)
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1947
Co-founds the Progressive Artists’ Group
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1950
Moves to France
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1956
Prix de la Critique
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1980
Bindu becomes the centre of his work
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1981
Padma Shri
-
2007
Padma Bhushan
-
2010
Saurashtra sells for a record price; returns to India
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2013
Padma Vibhushan
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2015
Commander of the Legion of Honour
France.
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2016
Dies in New Delhi
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2016
Died, aged 94
Notable works
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1983
Saurashtra Painting
-
1973
La Terre Painting
Awards and honours
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Padma Shri
1981
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Padma Bhushan
2007
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Padma Vibhushan
2013
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Commander of the Legion of Honour
2015 · France.
Did you know?
-
1
A village teacher’s dot on the wall inspired his lifelong motif, the bindu.
-
2
He lived in France for about 60 years.
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3
He was buried in Mandla, next to his father.
Gallery
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is S. H. Raza?
S. H. Raza was a painter who co-founded the Progressive Artists’ Group and spent six decades in France. His mature abstract works, built around the bindu — a dot symbolising the source of creation — made him one of India’s most celebrated modern artists.
When did S. H. Raza die?
S. H. Raza died on 23 July 2016 at the age of 94.
Where is S. H. Raza from?
S. H. Raza was born in Babaria, Mandla district, Central Provinces (now Madhya Pradesh).
What is S. H. Raza known for?
S. H. Raza is best known for Geometric abstractions centred on the bindu; the Progressive Artists’ Group.
What awards has S. H. Raza received?
Notable honours include Padma Shri (1981), Padma Bhushan (2007), Padma Vibhushan (2013), Commander of the Legion of Honour (2015).
Who is S. H. Raza married to?
Spouse: Janine Mongillat.
References
- S. H. Raza — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- S. H. Raza — Invaluable artist page. Invaluable. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- S. H. Raza — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- S. H. Raza (Q3105774) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“S. H. Raza.” TrackFame, last updated 26 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/s-h-raza
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