Narayan Shridhar Bendre was a modernist who freely experimented with various styles and in the process cultivating his own distinct style. His initial years were conditioned by the landscape painting style of Lahore. Later, he experimented with cubism, expressionism and quasi abstract styles. He was part of the group of those artists who were not lamely attracted to indigenous theories and aimed at creating the 'modern movement' in arts as we know of it today.

In 1945, he stayed in Shantiniketan where he worked alongside Nandalal Bose, Ramkinkar Baij and Binod Behari Mukherjee. In 1948, he left for New York where he exhibited his work in Windermere Gallery. On his way back to India he traveled through Europe and was influenced by the work of European modern artists. He served in the Department of Paintings at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda and left whilst he was the Dean. He continued to paint till he passed away on 18th February,1992.

His early recognition came with the 'Silver Medal' from the Bombay Art Society in 1934, followed by the then ultimate honour of the 'Gold Medal' in 1941. He was awarded the 'Padmashri' in 1969. He was elected the Chairman of the International Jury at the Second Triennale in New Delhi in 1971 and was a fellow of the Lalitkala Akademy in 1974. He obtained the 'Aban-Gagan Award' from Viswa Bharati University in 1984 and also the 'Kalidas Samman' in the the same year.