Ramkinkar Baij was born in Bankura West Bengal in 1910. He studied at the Kala Bhavan, Vishwa Bharati University, Santiniketan in 1925. Trained by two European sculptors, one of whom was a disciple of Bourdelle, who was on a visit to Santiniketan on an invitation by Tagore, his style was still uniquely his own. Groomed by his mentors, Nandalal Bose and Tagore, the clay modeler turned artist. Working at a time when traditional art was transitioning to modern art, Baij's work proved to be crucial to Indian art history. Nature and Baij's folk background turned out to be the crucial influences in the formation of his style. Later, he headed the Department of Sculpture at the Kala Bhavan. He always believed that it is only momentum that creates tension in a work of art. His work portrays tremendous energy, joy, vital, and reaching out to light. It is earthy and dynamic while showing a surging movement or growth. His path-breaking work in sculpture has been both acknowledged and respected, first in Santiniketan, then across the country, and internationally as well. His sand and pebble sculptures are noted for a typical, lyrical, metrical sensuality, which has an amazing oneness with nature. Indian sculpture, hitherto limited to academic naturalism, was transformed by him. He mostly depicted Santhal tribal art and life in his work and enhanced them with an understanding of Western expressionism that was gleaned from books at the library of the Kala Bhavan. Although primarily known for his expressionistic sculpture, he was a gifted painter. This sense of rhythm that his sculpture is noted for is manifest brilliantly in his watercolors. The fluidity of this medium lent itself to his style.