Lalitha Lajmi (1932–2023), born in Kolkata, emerged from an artistic lineage that shaped her passion for both classical dance and painting. Choosing to pursue painting, Lajmi developed a distinctive style as a watercolorist, using her art to explore and articulate the evolving role of the modern Indian woman in the post-Independence era. Her canvases frequently address complex gender dynamics, revealing tensions within diverse relational roles. Despite the layered narratives of her work, her portrayal of women remains assertive and individualistic, often imbued with autobiographical elements.

Lajmi expanded her practice through intaglio and etching, studying under a government-sponsored program at the Sir J.J. School of Art. She established a makeshift printmaking press in her kitchen, producing prints for an exhibition in 1983 that traveled across both West and East Germany, signaling her early engagement with international audiences.

Lajmi’s work is rich with symbolism, using motifs such as the performer, the mask, and the skull to explore themes of relationships, identity, and dream sequences, often drawing from personal history. Her works are held in significant collections, including those of the National Gallery of Modern Art in India, the British Museum, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Mumbai. In 2023, her extensive contributions to Indian art were honored with a retrospective at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Mumbai.