Shyamal Mukherjee, born in Kolkata in 1961, has spent his entire life in the city, except for traveling to showcase his work. He completed his BFA (1987) and MFA (1989) at Rabindra Bharati University, Santiniketan. Known for his distinctive reverse oil and acrylic painting on transparent acrylic sheets, Mukherjee’s work is both intricate and time-consuming. While his themes evolve, he remains committed to this medium. In addition to painting, Mukherjee teaches children, finding that he learns as much from them as they do from him. He also collects rural artworks and Bengali crafts. His art often focuses on the shared humanity between individuals, depicting people in pairs or groups to highlight common traits despite their physical differences. His works, which merge Bengali folk culture with a unique caricature style, are designed to bring joy to both him and his viewers. Mukherjee has held over 36 solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows internationally, with his work taking him to Dubai, Sri Lanka, Bangkok, Russia, Europe, and Bhutan. He is also involved in international art workshops, sharing his vast experience with students.