Piraji Sagara was born on February 2, 1931 in Ahmedabad and passed away on Thursday, 23rd January 2014.

Having a natural talent for drawing, he enrolled for a drawing course after matriculation in 1950, and later worked as a drawing teacher. Piraji became drawing master in 1957 and art master in 1960 from the J.J. School of Art, Bombay. Since 1963, Piraji taught art at the School (now Faculty) of Architecture, CEPT University Ahmedabad. He was a versatile artist who could work in various mediums. Piraji received many awards in his lifetime, including the state and national Lalit Kala academy awards. Piraji Sagara is one of Gujarat’s best-known artists, who was a sculptor and a painter. He invigorated the calling by introducing wood collages.1

Piraji received the gold medal of Calcutta fine arts academy for two consecutive years of 1960 and 1961. In 1962, he was awarded the first prize of the Gujarat state Lalit Kala academy and in 1963 and the national award of the Lalit Kala academy at New Delhi. His works have been exhibited through invitation at several distinguished places in India and abroad. Notable among these are: Sao Paulo Biennale, Brazil, 1971; 'ART NOW IN INDIA' an exhibition sponsored by the art council of London in all major cities of Europe in 1972-1973 and on two occasions at the exhibitions of the works of Asian artists organized by Fukukoma museum of art, Tokyo in 1979 and 1980.In 1980, Piraji was invited to attend the 12th international festival of painters at Cagne Sur-Mer, France, Where his works were exhibited, by the Indian council of cultural relations and the government of France.

Collectors

  • Institutions: Piraji's works are on permanent display at the National Gallery of Modern Art, the museum of modern art of the Lalit Kala academy at New Delhi, Gujarat state Lalit Kala academy, Art museums at Jaipur and Baroda, The Birla fine arts academy at Calcutta, US embassy at New Delhi, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) USA, International Crop Research Institute (ICRISAT) Hyderabad, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Bombay. Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad, Air India, Tata and Material Groups are among the organizations having works of Piraji Sagara in their collection.
  • Individuals: Yehudi Menuhin, Mrs. Jackson Pollock, Shahbenu of Iran, Umashankar Joshi, Mrs. Mrinalini Sarabhai, Louis Kahn, Balkrishna Doshi , Piloo Mody, smt. Gayatridevi of Jaipur, Mrs. Otto Spaceth, Mrs.Kumudini Lakhia and shri Gunvant Mangaldas are among the prominent individuals and connoisseur of art; having works of Piraji in their collections.
  • 1. source: http://pirajisagara.1colony.com/