Ganesh Haloi was born in 1936 in East Bengal, which is now part of Bangladesh. He migrated to Kolkata during the Partition. Haloi graduated from the Government College of Art & Craft in Kolkata in 1956 and subsequently joined the Archaeological Survey of India as a Senior Artist. From 1957 to 1963, he was assigned to work at the Ajanta Caves. In 1964, he became a lecturer at the Art College in Kolkata. In his early career, Haloi focused on studying miniatures in Banasthali, Rajasthan, and spent six years replicating Ajanta frescoes. Initially, his artwork was dominated by landscapes, but his more recent paintings reflect a deeper, introspective, and philosophical temperament. His work illustrates the effects of devastation and human resilience, capturing the acceptance of these themes. Haloi seeks to convey the unpredictable movements of life within the confines of his canvas. His spontaneous use of thick colors evokes reflective memories. Haloi has received numerous awards, including the Late R. N. Chakraborty Memorial Award (named after a former principal), a Gold Medal from the Government College of Art, Kolkata (1956), and seven Silver Medals from Kolkata University (in 1953, 1954, 1955). He has also been honored with Gold Medals from the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata (in 1955, 1956, 1957, 1963, 1964, 1966, and 1970).