India, April 6 -- A few days ago, my wife and I spent an afternoon with the celebrated artist, sculptor, and muralist Jatin Das at his studio --- cramped with canvases and drawings, stacked on shelves or piled into separate categories in an unbelievably tight space, where only he knows where everything is --- in the heart of Mehrauli, New Delhi.

We have known Jatin for decades. Though not without his share of controversies, there is little doubt that, as an artist, he is unique for two principal accomplishments. First, at the age of 84, he is among the few living artists who have been personal witnesses to and participants in the entire modern Indian artistic movement, including the Progressive Artists' Movement and beyond. Second, there...