25+
Year of experience
2
Art Listed
KG Subramanyan (1924–2016) was a visionary artist, teacher, designer, writer, and philosopher of art—fondly known as Manida. Born in Kerala and shaped by the nationalist movement, his early years were deeply influenced by Gandhian ideals and a rich exposure to traditional Indian art, music, and storytelling.
He studied art at Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan, under the guidance of legends like Nandalal Bose, and later at the Slade School of Art in London. His career as an artist and educator spanned decades, including pivotal roles at MS University, Baroda, and Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan.
Subramanyan’s work is known for its remarkable versatility—ranging from paintings, murals, prints, and illustrated books to toy design and terracotta reliefs. He blended folk traditions, classical references, and modernist sensibilities with wit, playfulness, and social commentary.
His contributions earned him numerous honors, including the Padma Bhushan (2006), Padma Vibhushan (2012), and a retrospective at the National Gallery of Modern Art. As a thinker and practitioner, he reshaped the conversation around Indian art and craft, leaving an enduring legacy that bridges the local and the global, the traditional and the contemporary.
KG Subramanyan passed away in 2016 in Vadodara at the age of 92, but his ideas continue to inspire generations.
