Modern Indian Sculpture

Step 1: Analyze the key elements of the question. The question is looking for a sculptor who meets three criteria: 1) uses the lost-wax process, 2) is influenced by folk and tribal art, and 3) applies this to their own creative sculptures.
Step 2: Evaluate the artists. Meera Mukherjee is the artist most famously associated with this practice. She studied the traditional Dhokra lost-wax casting technique with tribal artisans in Bastar, Chhattisgarh. She then adapted and scaled up this folk technique to create her unique, large-scale modernist bronze sculptures, which often depicted ordinary people and mythological themes.

Step 1: Understanding the artistic background of Ramkinkar Vaij. Ramkinkar Vaij was a pioneer of modern Indian sculpture and a key figure of Santiniketan. He was known for breaking away from academic styles of art.
Step 2: Identifying the key influences in his work. His sculptures are characterized by a dynamic, energetic style that draws heavily from the raw vitality of indigenous, native folk art (like the Santhal community he lived among) and combines it with modernist Western art principles, particularly Cubism's approach to form and structure. This synthesis created a unique and powerful artistic language.

Step 1: Understanding the question's focus. The question asks to identify a pioneer among Indian sculptors for integrating "craft media and techniques" into their work. This implies a conscious effort to bridge the gap between fine art (sculpture) and traditional crafts.
Step 2: Evaluating the artists' contributions. While all the listed artists are significant, Sankho Chaudhuri is particularly renowned for his elegant and simplified forms and his extensive experimentation with various media. He actively incorporated techniques and materials from traditional Indian crafts into his modernist sculptural practice, making him a pioneer in this regard.

Step 1: Define retarding agents and accelerators for plaster. A retarding agent slows down the chemical reaction that causes plaster to set (harden). An accelerator speeds it up.
Step 2: Classify each substance.

(A) Cold water: Lowers the temperature of the reaction, slowing down the setting time. It is a retarder.
(B) Warm water: Increases the temperature of the reaction, speeding up the setting time. It is an accelerator.
(C) Acetic acid (like vinegar): Acids interfere with the crystal formation of the gypsum, slowing the setting time. It is a retarder.
(D) Alcohol: Acts as a retarder by disrupting the hydration process.
(E) Salt (Sodium Chloride): Acts as an accelerator, speeding up the setting time.

Step 3: Identify the group of retarders. The retarding agents are Cold water, Acetic acid, and Alcohol. This corresponds to (A), (C), and (D).

Step 1: Match each modern Indian sculptor with their signature medium or technique.

(A) D. P. Roy Chaudhury is famous for monumental, expressive sculptures like "Triumph of Labour," which were cast in (III) Bronze.
(B) P. V. Janakiram was a pioneer in using repoussé and welding techniques on sheet metal, particularly (I) Copper.
(C) Meera Mukherjee adapted the traditional folk craft of (IV) Dokra (lost-wax casting) for her unique modernist sculptures.
(D) Mrinalini Mukherjee is renowned for her large, organic forms created by knotting and weaving dyed (II) Hemp ropes.

Step 2: Form the sequence of correct matches. The correct sequence is (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(II). This matches option (1).

Step 1: Analyze the described artistic technique. The question points to a sculptor who works with sheet metal, creates freestanding forms, and uses linear elements for surface decoration. This technique is often associated with repoussé and chasing on sheet copper or other metals.
Step 2: Match the technique to the artist. P. V. Janakiram was a prominent figure in the Madras Art Movement and is renowned for his unique sculptural style using beaten sheet metal (primarily copper). He created freestanding, icon-like figures and embellished their surfaces with intricate linear details, perfectly matching the description. Mrinalini Mukherjee worked with hemp fibre, and Meera Mukherjee was known for bronze casting inspired by the Dhokra technique.

Step 1: Match each sculptor from List-I with one of their famous works from List-II.

(A) Somnath Hore's work often depicted suffering and humanity; his sculptures like 'Mother and Child' or the abstract 'Wounds' series are iconic. (I) Woman is a representative title for his figural work.
(B) Amar Nath Sehgal created the well-known bronze sculpture (III) Anguished Cries, which responded to the trauma of Partition.
(C) Ramkinkar Vaij is celebrated for his pioneering outdoor sculptures, including the serene and powerful (II) Sujata.
(D) Dhan Raj Bhagat's works often incorporated geometric and folk motifs, as seen in his sculpture (IV) Monarch.

Step 2: Form the complete matched sequence. The correct sequence is (A)-(I), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(IV). This matches option (1).

Step 1: Match each artist in List-I with their well-known sculpture in List-II.

(A) Lydia Mehta is known for her sculpture titled (I) Dancer.
(B) Ved Nayar created the significant installation work (II) Despair and hope of Kalpavriksha.
(C) Mrinalini Mukherjee named many of her hemp sculptures after nature deities; (III) Vanshri (Forest Deity) is a prime example.
(D) Ratnabali Kant is the creator of the work titled (IV) Global Agony.

Step 2: Assemble the sequence. The pairings are a direct match: (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV). This matches option (4).