Haku Shah

Born in 1934 in Valod, Gujarat, and completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in fine arts from M.S. University, Baroda, later joined the Baroda Group of Artists. His art reflects tribal and folk influences, featuring simple, symbolic images such as shepherds, cows, trees, and flute players, blending rural simplicity with layered conceptual depth. Best known for his blue shepherd motif, paintings inspired by Kabir, Mirabai, and Raidas, and his major role in curating exhibitions like Unknown India: Ritual Art in Tribe and Village. Recipients of major honors including the Padma Shri, Gagan Avani Puraskar, and Kala Shiromani. His artwork became part of institutions such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and he founded museums and cultural centers like Shilpgram and the Folk Art Museum in Ahmedabad. Haku Shah is no longer living he passed away on 21 March 2019 in Ahmedabad.