AK Haldar (1890–1964) was an relative and one of the assistants of Rabindranath Tagore at Shantiniketan. His father as well as grand father was painter. Haldar became the first Indian to be appointed as the principal of a Government Art School. He was also the first Indian to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, London in 1934. The Allahabad Museum opened a large “Haldar Hall” with many of his works in 1938. Contribution to Indian Art Between 1909 to 1911, Haldar visited Ajanta documenting the paintings and made efforts to bring the cave art to a wider Indian audience. A decade later he undertook another expedition to the Bagh Caves. The art movement of Abanindra Nath Tagore succeeded to a great extent because of the assistance rendered by Asit Kumar Haldar As a principal of the Kala Bhavan School from 1911 to 1915, he introduced many different styles to art to the students, and revolutionized decorative In 1923, he went on a study tour through England, France and Germany. On his return, he became Principal of the Maharaja’s School of Arts and Crafts His media in the art work included lacquer(shiny finishes to wood) ,tempera (permanent, fast drying medium mixed with egg yolk) ,oil, watercolours, and sometimes photography. His Masterpieces include: Krishna and Yashoda 32 paintings on Buddhas life 30 paintings in Indian history Awakening of Mother India Kunala and Ashoka Pronam Rai-Raja Lotus The Flame of Music He remained a budding poet also through out his life. In his book Ravitirthe, he has acknowledged his debt to Rabindranath Tagore and Santiniketan in helping to eatablish him as an artist Awards and Honors • First Indian to be appointed as the principal of a Government Art School • First Indian to be selected as a Fellow of the ROYAL SOCIETY OF ARTS, LONDON in 1934 • The Allahabad Museum opened a large “Haldar hall” with his works in 1938.