Krishnanand Jha (1947–2018; Mithila, Bihar) was a pioneering artist whose deeply spiritual practice expanded the visual and philosophical possibilities of the Mithila painting tradition. Born in the Mithila region of Bihar into a family of Tantric priests, he was trained from an early age in Tantric rituals, philosophy, and sacred iconography—knowledge that became the foundation of his distinctive artistic vision.

Among the first men to gain recognition within the traditionally women-led Mithila painting tradition, Jha challenged longstanding social conventions while developing a highly individual visual language. His works are celebrated for their intricate linework and powerful depictions of Tantric deities, particularly Mahavidyas such as Chinnamasta, his family’s presiding goddess. Drawing from esoteric symbolism and sacred geometry, his paintings transformed ritual imagery into compelling contemporary works of art.

Jha’s unique approach attracted widespread attention from the 1980s onwards, establishing him as one of the foremost practitioners of Tantric painting within the Mithila tradition. His works have been exhibited internationally and are held in prominent public and private collections, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College, and the Ethnic Arts Foundation (EAF) Collection.

In recognition of his exceptional contribution to Indian artistic traditions, the Ethnic Arts Foundation (USA) honoured him with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. Today, Krishnanand Jha is remembered as a visionary artist whose work expanded the visual and philosophical scope of Mithila painting, leaving an enduring legacy within the history of Indian contemporary art.