Artist Wasim Kapoor, whose paintings breathed color into the dark emotions of pain, suppression, suffering, and loneliness, has died at age 71 in the city on Monday (24th January)  following a massive cardiac arrest. He is survived by his two brothers, his sister-in-law, and niece, they said. The end came at around 11.30 am at his residence in central Kolkata.

Known for his vibrant depictions of emotions, Wasim Kapoor was a well-known painter in India. He was born on 3rd January 1951 in Lucknow.

Kapoor (3rd January 1951 – 24th January 2022) has inherited his creative streak from his father who was a legendary Urdu poet Salik Lucknawi. Born in Lucknow, Wasim Kapoor lived in Kolkata. He was a  First Class Diploma Holder in Fine Arts from the Indian College of Arts and Draftsmanship in Kolkata.

His series ‘Shades of Time’ celebrated 75 years of Indian cinema encompassing the era of Kanan Devi, Madhubala to Konkona Sen Sharma was a tribute to Indian screen beauties. ‘Great Expectations’ frames Amitabh in the sky accompanied by some street children. He portrayed reality as it is in the Boy Series, Girl Child series, and Prostitute series and stood for those whose voice needs to be heard.

For more than 30 years, Wasim Kapoor exhibited his works in solo and group shows; some of his works have received international recognition. He was an artist who celebrated life in surrealism! Rabindra Bharti Award, Bharat Nirman Award, Gurukul Award, Sarba Bharti Kalamoni Award, Quami Ekta Award, Paschim Bango Rajya Pratinidhi Sammilani, Bango Seba Samman are some of the awards to name.