Uday Shankar

Born as Uday Shankar Chowdhury into a Bengali family, he spent his formative years in the home of his maternal uncle in Nasratpur, where he resided with his mother and siblings. This arrangement was due to his father’s frequent relocations for work. Consequently, Uday’s education was marked by a series of school changes in various places, including Nasratpur, Gazipur, Varanasi, and Jhalawar. Although dance wasn’t initially a part of his upbringing, Uday’s early exposure to other artistic mediums like music and photography occurred during his schooling in Gazipur. 

Amidst the transitions of changing schools and cities, Uday Shankar’s path led him to a unique mentorship. His drawing and Crafts teacher, Ambika Charan Mukhopaddhay, introduced him to the realms of music and photography. Upon completing his schooling, an eighteen-year-old Uday embarked on a journey to Mumbai, where he joined the J. J. School of Art to pursue fine arts. Two years later, he extended his journey to London, enrolling at the Royal College of Art. Under the guidance of Sir William Rothenstein, he delved into the world of painting. This was followed by a scholarship from the French Government, leading him to Rome to master art in its most advanced forms.