Sankho Chaudhuri (25 February 1916 – 28 August 2006) was an Indian sculptor, a noted figure in the art scene of India. (Although named Naranarain[1] in due family tradition, he was more widely known by his pet-name Sankho). Ram Kinker Baij was his teacher. He began close to cubism and then was influenced by István Beöthy, whom he had met in Paris. His themes have included the female figure and wildlife. He had worked in a wide range of media, and has produced both large-scale reliefs and mobiles.
Chaudhuri completed his Bachelor of Arts and Diploma in Fine Arts from Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan in 1939. In 1945, he earned a Diploma in Fine Art with Distinction in Sculpture, from Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan. He taught Fine Arts at the University of Dar-e-Salam Tanzania and also represented the country at the International Conferences in UNESCO, Paris and Venice. He was a recipient of Padma Shri in 1971; National Award and Fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, 1956 & 1982; D.Litt. (Honoris Causa) by the Centro Escolar University, Philippines, 1974; Aban-Gohan Award by Visva Bharati University, 1981. He was the Ist Honorary Joint Secretary, Indian Sculptors Association, Mumbai. He was Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi in the late 1980s. A Retrospective was held of his works at the NGMA in 1997.
