In the early 1990s, Das Gupta started suffering from vision loss and for a brief period, lost his orientation and colour sense with many of his works not having the regular magic that he was known for. It was found that he had cataract and in 1993, he was operated upon for the same. The years 1992-1993 saw a different colouration and when Das Gupta recovered from the surgery and saw the works he had done, he tore many and set most aside as he was not happy with them. Due to this reason, not many works from the artist from this time are to be found.
The year 1993 saw a resurgence with a renewed vigour and the master artist started churning out some of his strongest works aesthetically. Beautiful usage of indigo, greens and orange ruled the palette and the medium predominantly used was acrylic. He started heading back to his roots and landscapes formed a major part of his oeuvre with some works from the tantra philosophy that he had evolved from and left behind. The master artist was trying to reach back where he had left from to build his flow again, and cover the lost 15 months.
By this time, many new galleries had started popping up and the art market had started rising with the introduction of marketing; and more as a business form over the passion of art. With the rising of financials in the art industry, the game was changing.
In 1995, India lost its biggest genius in a car accident along with his entire family, leaving behind a void that could never be filled. Some of his last works can be seen in the following section—let this be our tribute to the greatest artist India has known.
- Vikram Mayor