Manjit Bawa was born in Dhuri, Punjab in 1941. He completed his education in art from the College of Art, New Delhi in 1958. In 1964, he left for Britain and worked there as a silkscreen printer. He vame back from Britain in 1971. Between 1975-1977, he taught at the College of Art.

The eminent artist was heavily influenced by Sufi thought, Hindu mythology and nature.

He exhibited his work in solo shows and group exhibitions in different cities across the world, including New Delhi, Hong Kong, Kolkata, London, New York, Bhopal, Singapore.

He was honoured with the Sailoz Prize in 1963. In 1980, he received the Lalit Kala Akademi Award. In 2000, he won the Dayawati Modi Annual Award.

He breathed his last in New Delhi in 2008.