Binod Behari Mukherjee (7 February 1904 – 11 November 1980) was a pioneering Indian modernist painter from West Bengal and a central figure in the movement of Contextual Modernism. Among the earliest artists in modern India to embrace murals as a medium of expression, his works reveal a sensitive grasp of the environment and a deep engagement with architectural space.

Born in Behala, Kolkata, with ancestral roots in Garalgachha, Hooghly District, Mukherjee began his early education at Sanskrit Collegiate School. He later became a teacher at Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, where he mentored several generations of artists.

His artistic language reflected a unique synthesis of Western modernist idioms and the spiritual depth of Indian and Far-Eastern traditions. In 1948, he served as director of the National Museum in Kathmandu, Nepal. Later, he moved to the Doon Valley, where he established an art school, though it was eventually discontinued due to financial difficulties.

Mukherjee’s remarkable contributions earned him several honors, including the Padma Vibhushan in 1974, the Deshikottama from Visva-Bharati University in 1977, and the Rabindra Puraskar in 1980.

In 1972, celebrated filmmaker and his former student, Satyajit Ray, created the documentary The Inner Eye, offering an intimate portrayal of Mukherjee’s artistic vision and his resilience in continuing his creative journey despite losing his eyesight.