Born in 1958 in Kolkata, Sanjay Bhattacharya received his Diploma in Art from Government College of Arts and Crafts, Kolkata in 1982. After completing his graduation, he joined Clarion add agency as an illustrator. He later joined Hindustan Thomsan Associates where he had the freedom to freelance. It was while working here that he created a series of watercolours for his first exhibition, based on architecture and still life.

Sanjay Bhattcahrya’s works, both in oil paints and water colours are a unique embodiment of the soul of the city of Kolkata. Taking their subject matter from the middle class people of Kolkata and their conditions of living, his works offer a poignant portrait of the lived realities of urban existence in India.

His works can be seen in important public and private collections in India and overseas including the World Bank and the Parliament House in Delhi.

In 1988 and 1989 he had solo exhibitions at Gallery Aurobindo in New Delhi and Chitrakoot Art Gallery, Calcutta. In 1988 he had a solo exhibition at Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi. In 1992 he had a solo exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. In 1994 Sanjay showcased ‘Rajiv Gandhi: Landscape of a Man’ at National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai and at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. In 2002 he had a solo show ‘Painting Beyond Words’ at Arts India, New York.

In 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1985 he won awards from National Exhibitions, Calcutta. In 1983 and 1988 he participated in All India Watercolour Exhibitions at AIFACS and won awards. In 1988 - 1989 Sanjay was recipient of an award at Sahitya Kala Parishad Annual Exhibition. In 1988 he won an award at Second International Asian-European Art Biennale in Ankara, Turkey.