 After completing the Matriculation from Sahanagar High School, he entered Government Art College, Kolkata but had to discontinue due to financial difficulties.The following year, he enrolled at the Calcutta Art School (later to be known as Calcutta Art College) and graduated First Class First, winning the Gold Medal in 1955.His classmates tell the story that he was known amongst the students as "Kabi" (meaning poet) and it was widely expected that he would top the class.