Akbar Padamsee, a master, in his 90s withboundlesscreative
energy, is one of the top contemporary artists of India. Born in 1928 in an
affluent Muslim familyof Bhavnagar district, Gujarat, he went to Sir J.J.
School of Art in Mumbai to study Diploma in Painting. In 1951, hewent to Paris
and started painting for Atelier 17,
a studio ofSurrealisticartist Stanley Hayter. He soon held his first show at Galerie Saint Placide in 1952.He had his
very first solo show in Jehangir Art Galleryin 1954. He is a close associate of
Progressive Artists Group (PAG). After seeking an insight into the art outside
India through learning, working and associating with several organizations
abroad, he came back to his home country in 1967. His work usually revolves
around monochromatic heads and nudes or vibrant and colourful landscapes His
inspiration behind introducing sun and moon in bright and bold metascapes has
originated from an introductory stanza in Kalidasa’s Abhijnanashakuntalam,
informs the master. He is not only skilled in creatingsublime paintings,
drawings and metal or clay sculptures, but he has mastered the art ofphotography,
films, printmaking and computer graphics. He is a recipient of Padma Shri and
Kalidas Samman for his contribution towards art.
