cover image: Fairy Tales of Purvapalli, 1986

20.500.12592/q7cm71

Fairy Tales of Purvapalli, 1986

1 Jan 1986

This painting is created by K. G. Subramanyan using oil and watercolours on acrylic sheet. In this painting, the artist has depicted a fairy tale of Purvapalli, emphasizing on the traditional manner of story-telling where several stories take place simultaneously in different areas of the picture plane. The artist signed 'Mani' along the lower margin of the painting. It is now exhibited in the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.
artwork modern painting
Identifier
ngma-12508
Material
Oil, Watercolour, Acrylic Sheet
Note
Kalpathi Ganpathi Subramanyan was born on 15th February, 1924, in Kuthuparambu in North Kerala. In 1944, Subramanyan went to Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan, to study under the apprenticeship of Benodebehari Mukherjee, Nandalal Bose and Ramkinkar Baij. He then in 1955 under the British Council Research Fellowship, went to Slade School of Art at the University of London (where he developed a strong inclination towards printmaking) Subramanayan was known among his contemporaries and peers for his familiarity and his ability to work with diverse media such as iron sheets, watercolour, gouache, oil, acrylic, relief murals on panels, fabrics and terracotta. These qualities were nurtured by him through an invigorating study of the works of Ananda Coomarswamy, known for advocating cultural resurgence in the post-independence era and instilling pride in the country's heritage. The larger cultural perspective (depicted) in his work suggests the contemporary life and reality that surrounded him. His work also suggests insightful links with the European context of modernism with an added awareness of the varied legacies of Indian tradition and the complexities of the Indian present; and is further enriched through his understanding of other performing arts. Subramanyan taught as a Professor in painting in the Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda and also served as their Dean from 1968-74. He went back to teach in Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan in the Painting Department in 1980. In 1989, he was designated as a Professor Emeritus of Visva Bharati. Subramanyan's work has travelled and exhibited in solo shows as well as in joint ventures all over the world. Subramanyan has authored many books on art and also illustrated and authored fictional stories for children. K. G. Subramanyan was honoured with Padma Vibhushan in 2012, Padma Bhushan in 2006 and Padma Shri in 1975 by the President of India.
Pages
61 x 84 cm
Published in
India
Type
Painting