The correct option is Bhupen Khakhar.
Explanation
Bhupen Khakhar (1934-2003) was a pioneering figure in modern Indian art, closely associated with the Baroda School. He is renowned for his unique figurative style that moved away from the modernist abstraction prevalent at the time, focusing instead on the everyday lives of the Indian middle class and personal narratives.Detailed Analysis:
- Bhupen Khakhar: He painted 'Janata Watch Repairing' in 1972. His work is characterized by a distinct aesthetic often termed "trading style" or influenced by kitsch and calendar art. He is widely recognized as India's first openly gay artist, and his paintings frequently depicted the experiences of queer men and the intimacy of male bonding within mundane, provincial settings.
- Vivan Sundaram: A contemporary of Khakhar, known for his installation art and political activism, but not for this specific painting or the specific stylistic focus on the "insignificant man" in this manner.
- Sudhir Patwardhan: Known for his depictions of the urban proletariat and the cityscapes of Mumbai/Thane, focusing on the working class rather than the specific intimate/queer narratives found in Khakhar's work of this period.
- Jogen Chowdhury: Known for his ink and pastel works featuring fluid, cross-hatched lines, distinct from Khakhar's vibrant, flat-colored narrative style.
Key Takeaway:
Bhupen Khakhar is the modern Indian artist who painted 'Janata Watch Repairing' (1972), celebrated for his honest depiction of middle-class life and queer identity.