Archive · 21 Aug 2026
David Malaker’s Nocturnal Paintings Trace Freedom, Cities and Identity
David Malaker is an artist who likes painting cities at night.
He left Calcutta and moved to Varanasi because he wanted more freedom.
He studied at Banaras Hindu University and spent his days watching the city.
At night, he turned what he saw into paintings.
His pictures use light and shadows instead of bright colors to show how cities feel.
A cat on a rooftop often helps viewers see Calcutta from above in his paintings.
He also painted Bohurupi performers between preparing and performing.
Writer Vinayak Pasricha has collected and discussed this work in a book about Malaker.
David Malaker left Calcutta for Varanasi seeking independence and a different artistic environment.
At Banaras Hindu University, he observed the city by day and painted at night.
His paintings use light and shadow to explore urban landscapes, memory, transience and inner experience.
A book by Vinayak Pasricha documents Malaker’s artistic development in Varanasi and Calcutta.
Malaker’s work is being exhibited at Birla Academy of Art and Culture and Society of Contemporary Artists Kolkata.
- Who
- Artist David Malaker and writer Vinayak Pasricha are central to the story.
- What
- A book documents Malaker’s nocturnal paintings and the development of his artistic practice across Varanasi and Calcutta.
- When
- Malaker spent two years in Varanasi; he received the Lalit Kala Akademi Award in 2020 at age 26. His work is listed for viewing through August 31 and September 13.
- Where
- Malaker worked in Varanasi and later returned to Calcutta; exhibitions are being held at Society of Contemporary Artists Kolkata and Birla Academy of Art and Culture.
- Why
- He sought independence from regimented art education and was drawn to the freedom, culture and creative possibilities he associated with nighttime.
- Artist
- David Malaker, a 33-year-old Government College of Art and Craft alumnus
- Award
- Lalit Kala Akademi Award 2020, received when Malaker was 26
- Book
- David Malaker Time Past/Time Present by Vinayak Pasricha
- Varanasi practice
- Malaker spent two years observing the city by day and painting at night
- Artistic focus
- Nocturnal urban landscapes shaped by nostalgia, light, shadow, transience and inner experience
- Exhibitions
- Birla Academy of Art and Culture through September 13; Society of Contemporary Artists Kolkata through August 31
- Additional subject
- The book includes Malaker’s paintings of Bohurupi performers in Varanasi