Since classical painting styles portrayed concepts of powerful monarchs and great fascinating achievements, “Indian painting” has long been a hotly contested controversy all over the world, however, current Indian painting has taken a more eccentric twist. The goal of contemporary Indian artwork is more complex than only pleasing the sight. With a tale, a theme, and a clear signal that highlights a range of subjects, including legacy, inequality, promoting gender equality, women’s issues, and much more, Indian painting aims to reflect the shifts occurring in society.
So, let’s have a closer look at some of the famous painters in India.
1. Raja Ravi Varma
Raja Ravi Verma, who is also referred to as the “Father of Modern Art”, is sitting at the top position in the ranking of famous Indian painters. He was the first Indian painter who was recognized on the international level. He had artistic feelings and interests from his childhood as he belongs to a family of authors and academics in Kerala. During the time period of 1879 to 1878, he crafted a variety of masterpieces in which he portrayed images of both British officials and individuals of Kilimanoor’s upper community. In 1873, he displayed his artworks in Vienna, where they won him international acclaim. Radha in Moonlight, one of his masterpieces, sold for INR 24 crore at bidding.
2. Amrita Sher-Gil
One of the artistic and cultural founders who was included in the listing has inspired a generation of artists around the world throughout her brief lifelong career and continues to continue to do so today. She is known by the name Amrita Sher-Gil, the first woman painter of India who achieved a Gold medal in Paris. She was the pinnacle of sheer brilliance, the colorful, the bright, the brave, and the intellectual artist. She took birth into the family of a Sikh prince in Hungary in 1913 where she lived her adolescence but life has some other plans for her. Her family shifted to Shimla in the year 1921 and since then she completed her education.
3. Vasudeo S Gaitonde
Vasudeo S Gaitonde is the next name in our list of the famous painters of India. Coming from the Nagpur city of Maharashtra, he was awarded Padma Shri. He completed his education at the J.J.School of Art in Bombay and became a member of India’s Progressive Artists’ Group. He was a very common man who loved to live his life with simplicity and not get any fame but he was a genius in art and painting which is gifted from his birth.
4. Zarina
Zarina was another Indian female artist who loved to draw by combining compassion and elegance in order to give a domestic feeling to her artwork. She took it in 1937 and said goodbye to this world in 2020. Since she came from a mathematics background, she utilized geometric designs, subdued colors, and angular edges in her artwork.
5. Jamini Roy
Jamani Roy who came from the Bankura district of West Bengal was a famous Indian artist who was not interested in painting western and modern art but he loved Indian culture and her artwork included Indian culture and tradition. He completed his education under the guidance of Abanindranath Tagore and was inspired by the Kalighat artwork’s strong brushwork. Rather than utilizing canvas, he used to brush on wood, fabric, and carpets. His works reflect traditional Bengali backgrounds as well as religious themes such as the Ramayana, Radha-Krishna, and Jesus Christ. The Indian government presented this brilliant painter with the Padam Bhusan honor in 1954.
6. A Ramachandran
Born in Kerala in 1935, Ramachandran turned out to be a great Indian painter who received Padma Bhushan in 2005 from the government of India. His works were initially huge and vibrant; but, about 1980, they underwent a transformation and began to feature more rural and indigenous communities. He was affected by the hues and sculptures of the monasteries, and mythologies were a significant component for him. Yayati was the first piece he painted in an innovative and exciting way.
7. M.F Husain
M.F Hussain was a well-known and popular Indian painter whose starting work included Bollywood hoarding and posters and later he gained popularity in modern art. He painted various naked depictions of Hindu goddesses because of which he was widely condemned and targeted by the Hindu nationalist and his artwork was ruined.
8. Jatin Das
He is a well-known Indian painting artist and craftsman who comes from the land of Baripada, Odisha. He gave 50 years of his life to the artwork and has included almost 70 presentations throughout the world. Participation in the Paris Biennale in 1971, the Venice Biennale in 1978, and the Documenta exhibition in Kessel in 1975 are some of his remarkable works. Through a variety of organizations, this renowned sculptor has put in a great deal of work to improve Indian art. Some excellent pieces of art include Wrapped Woman, Shaktim Radha Krishna, The Presence, and Woman in posture. The Indian government has given him several honors for his dedication to advancing and growing Indian art. Padma Bhushan in 2012, the Bharat Nirman Award in 2007, and the Bengal governor’s Utkala Award are some of his big achievements. Jatin Das has participated in numerous art festivals, in addition to having held improvisational presentations.
9. Ganesh Pyne
Ganesh Pyne, a native of Kolkata, launched his journey as a painter in 1960. Because of his financial difficulties, he initially utilized ink and pencil to sketch his paintings. He started utilizing watercolors, gouache, and tempera after some time when his conditions improved. He joined the Bengal School of Art to study painting since Abanindranath Tagore’s writing had a significant impact on him. His debut artwork, titled “Winter Morning,” depicted him and his brother walking to school. His artwork was displayed at several shows across the globe, including Germany, India, Paris, and London. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, he was bestowed the Raja Ravi Verma Honor by the Keralan government in 2011.
10. Benode Behari Mukerjee
Another artist who came from the land of Kolkata, Bengal, Benode Behari Mukerjee is a renowned and prominent Indian painter. He produced some magnificent drawings, such as mosaics on the Indian monks without utilizing any cartoons, despite possessing a disability in one of his eyesight. Unfortunately, a failed eye surgery resulted in him losing all of his vision. With the incorporation of Western and Indian contemporary art characteristics, his artwork utilized Chinese and Japanese painting styles.