Anukul Munshi

Anukul Charan Munshi or Anukul Chandra Munshi (Bengali: অনুকূল চরণ মুন্সী) (1875-1964) was an artist and sculptor from India. He is known for his contributions in the field of Indian Mother-of-pearl art. He is credited with pioneering the artistic technique of carving nacre or mother-of-pearl shells into the shape of portraits or sculptures, leading to his recognition as a significant figure in Indian mother-of-pearl art. Some of his notable mother-of-pearl portraits are Maharaja of Jodhpur, Maharaja of Darbhanga etc., alongside his iconic mother-of-pearl sculpture of Radha-Krishna. He came into fame in 1924 when he won the gold medal in his category in the British Empire Exhibition held in London. During his lifetime, he was invited by the then Government of Italy to permanently reside in Rome with his family as a part of his honour for his worldwide contributions in the mother-of-pearl artifacts. Besides, he was also an avid musician and animal lover.



Indian Mother-of-pearl art
Munshi introduced the mother-of-pearl art in India with a completely new perspective. He was the first accomplished artist to carve human portraits on nacre shells. During his early days in the Chaugachha zamindar family, he established a factory called 'Mother of Pearl Factory' where he along with his newly recruited apprentices and employees started the practice of the mother-of-pearl-based art, within the premises of their zamindari mansion. In this historic factory, Munshi taught the very art to his sons Annada Munshi and Manu Munshi and his nephew Pratip Munshi.

Notable works
Some of Munshi's notable artworks are:
 * Radha-Krishna
 * Maharaja of Jodhpur
 * Maharaja of Darbhanga

Patronage
In 1924, while participating in the British Empire Exhibition, renowned Indian dancer Amala Shankar's father Akhoy Kumar Nandy took all the responsibilities to arrange Munshi's entire journey to London.

Later, after partition of India in 1947, Munshi's 'Mother-of-Pearl Factory' was shifted from Chaugacha to Paikpara, Calcutta and faced utmost financial crisis. As a result, he was finding hard to pay his employees during that course of period. During that time, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, noted Indian politician, barrister and academician, helped him financially to overcome such extraordinary crisis.

International honours
Munshi won the gold medal in 1924 for his uniquely implemented mother-of-pearl art in the British Empire Exhibition. Later, the Italian government during his time invited him to live in Rome along with his family, but he rejected the invitation.

Legacy
After 48 years of Munshi's demise in 1964, in 2012 renowned writer and researcher Santanu Ghosh authored the book Binodane Paikpara Belgachia (in Bengali: বিনোদনে পাইকপাড়া বেলগাছিয়া) where his life was sketched alongside a number of notable people like Kazi Nazrul Islam, Chunibala Devi, Nirendranath Chakraborty and so on. The book Munshianay Chollis Purush (in Bengali: মুন্সিয়ানায় চল্লিশ পুরুষ) authored by the same author has mentioned his life and achievements multiple times. A research-based documentary film titled Shilpe Munshider Munshiana (Excellence of Munshis in Arts) has shown a detailed sketch of Munshi's life which was directed by Partho Mukherjee based on the research by Munshi's grandson Amitava Munshi.

Death
Munshi died in 1964 at his residence in Paikpara, Kolkata.