Born on 26 March, 1934 in a small village named Valod of Gujarat, Haku Shah was a renowned figurative artist from Baroda School. The emotions of folk and tribal art of India inspired his skillset. An eminent artist, a cultural anthropologist, teacher, Gandhian, an author of international repute on folk and tribal art, Haku Shah has spread his artistic wings in varied aspects of art.

Associated with the National Institute of Design right from its inception in the early 1960’s, he was invited by Dr. Stella Kramrisch in 1967 to curate the seminal exhibition, “Unknown India” which travelled to the USA.

He established a tribal museum at Gujarat Vidyapith in Ahmedabad, which was set up by Mahatma Gandhi. He has conducted various art and design workshops and lectured across the world. He also taught at the School of Architecture, Ahmedabad for several years and was Regent Professor at the University California, Davis.

Haku art. He was the Chairman and Founder Trustee of Bhooma, Lok Shilpa Sansthan. He was awarded `Kala-Gaurava’ by Gujarat Lalit Kala Akademi for his immense contribution to art. He has also been associated with the Museum of Mankind, London; the Tropical Museum, Amsterdam; and the Mingei International Museum of World Folk Art in San Diego, California.

Among his many accomplishments and Haku art masterpieces, Shah also contributed to the Film Industry, creative workshops, and much more.