Samir Mondal's most amazing contribution to Indian art of modern times is a continual revival of water colour. He has endowed water colours with the status of oils, projecting a facet of water colour that was never visualized before. The artist keenly observed the characteristics of oil-painting, noted the inherent quality of oils, their richness and substance. In his endeavour to include these elements in water colour, he developed textures and structural features as if they are oils. Samir Mondal has stood the test of this fantastic versatility. His water colours have never lost their originality, their innovativeness and their classic elegance, yet they are truly modern paintings. An alumnus of Government College of Arts, Kolkata, Mondal has held 34 solo shows and participated in many important group exhibitions in major cities of India and abroad. Explored major cities of Germany for art study under INDO-FRG Cultural Exchange Programme by DAAD. Participated in many prestigious art auctions conducted by Christies and others. Visited Paris, Germany, Dubai, Mauritius, Australia, Bangkok, Kenya, Israel, Egypt, Russia, Morocco and China. Mondal has received many prestigious Awards including AIFACS, New Delhi, West Bengal State Academy Award (twice), Academy of Fine Arts Award (twice) and A.P. Council of Artists Hyderabad. His works are part of valued collections of National Gallery of Modern Art, Delhi, Museums of Karnataka, RPG Enterprises, Standard Chartered Bank, Tata Steel, Birla group of companies, ICI India Ltd., Benson and Hedges, Morarji Mills, Brooke Bond, Citibank, Ministry of External Affairs, India, Office of Star Plus, DSP Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank, Solomon Smith Barney India Ltd., MICO India, Bangalore, J P Morgan and many personal collections in India and abroad.

"Over the years, several icons have dominated my consciousness. Typically I started with landscapes. Then stylised figures. And then themes. I'd take one subject and explore it from all angles possible. Always though, the theme was an essential part of my life, a process in which I was personally involved."