Haren Das was a pioneering Indian artist, born in 1921 in Dinajpur, which is now in Bangladesh. He was renowned for his expertise in graphic arts. After graduating in 1938 with a diploma in Fine Art from the Government College of Arts and Crafts in Kolkata, he began teaching there immediately.
Das specialised in woodcuts and introduced line engraving and etching into the art curriculum, laying the groundwork for printmaking education in India. His evocative works, particularly his woodcuts and engravings, vividly capture the essence of rural Bengal, portraying a nostalgic vision of a landscape that has largely disappeared. His art reflects the harmonious relationship between man and nature, depicting cobbled streets, village wells, and women carrying pots.
Das was celebrated with numerous national and international awards and held multiple solo and group exhibitions across India. In 1950, he published the book "Bengal Village in Wood," further cementing his legacy. Haren Das passed away in Kolkata in 1968, leaving behind a rich artistic heritage.