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Sculptor Chintamani Kar passes away
Indo-Asian News Service

Kolkata, Oct 3 (IANS) Master sculptor Chintamani Kar died at a private hospital here Monday. He was 91.

The ailing sculptor, who had slipped into coma, breathed his last at 10.30 a.m.

On Wednesday his body will be taken to his Narendrapur home, near here. He will be cremated the same day.

A recipient of the Padma Bhushan in 1972 and 'Deshikottama', the top honour of the Visva Bharati University, in 1990, Kar was also conferred in 2000 the highest civilian award by France.

Kar was reknowned for both painting and sculpture.

In his own work, he blended modernity with India's traditional forms with a masterly sense of composition, in both human groups and abstracts. 

His greatest role has perhaps been to train and inspire a whole generation of fine young sculptors at the Government School of Art.

Kar had set up a museum of sculpture, Bhaskar Bhavan, at his residence, and handed it over to the West Bengal Information and Cultural Affairs department. 

Kar had also established the Amina Kar Museum, which is now run by a trust. 

"Classical Indian Sculpture - 300 BC to AD 500" is one of the important books authored by him.

Among Kar's creations is the well-known sculpture on the facade of the Supreme Court. 

A pall of gloom descended on the artistes' circle here following the news of his death.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Kar.