In 1930 he participated in the Salt Satyagraha and served a spell in jail as a result. He had no formal training in painting and was mostly self-taught. Ara held his first man show in Bombay in 1942 which was huge success and in 1944 was awarded the Governor's prize. He joined the Progressive Artists Group in 1948 and in 1952 was the recipient of the Bombay Art Society's Gold Medal. Kumar Gallery, New Delhi acquired his works between 1955-Moden Indian Paintings1960.