Manash Ranjan Jena, born on April 21, 1968, in a small village in the Mayurbhanj district of rural Odisha, stands as one of the most prolific and popular visual artists of our generation in India. Educated at Bhubaneswar-based B.K. College of Art, Jena has carved a niche for himself not just as a figurative artist of the feminine figure, but as a “Figurative Feminist.” His canvases bring a wide range of women-related social and emotional issues to the forefront of our male-dominated world, reflecting the dichotomy of our society like a mirror. Jena’s work highlights the contrast where women are both idolised as ‘Devi’ or Goddess and yet not accorded their due respect.

Throughout his artistic journey, Jena has garnered numerous accolades. Notable among these are the Orissa State Lalit Kala Academy Award for his painting “TEMPLE LION” in 1997, the All India Fine Art and Craft Society Award for a state-level exhibition in 2002, and the Orissa State Lalit Kala Academy Award for Sketch in 1987. He was awarded the National Gold Medal by the Association of Indian Universities for Visual Art at the National Youth Festival at Roorkee Engineering University in 1990. His other significant recognitions include the Shilp Guru Bimbadhar Burma Award in 2005, OTDC in 2005, Jhansi Royal Museum in 2006, Swaraj Bhawan Bhopal in 2005, Adivasi Loka Sansthan Bhopal in 2005, OTDC Orissa in 2006, Regional Museum of Natural History Bhubaneswar in 2006, Adivasi Lok Kala Museum Khajuraho in 2005, Jammu University in 2007, ITDC Jaipur-Rajasthan in 2007, and the Byomakesh Mohanty Memorial Award by Artists Association of Odisha in 2013.