A. Ramachandran

A. Ramachandran was born in Attingal, Kerala, in 1935. In 1957, he obtained his Master's degree in Malayalam literature. But art had remained a continuing interest since childhood. He joined Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan and completed his education in art in 1961. Between 1961 and 1964, he did his doctoral thesis on the mural paintings of Kerala. By the mid-60s, he shifted to Delhi and in 1965, he joined the Jamia Milia Islamia as a lecturer in art education. Later, he became a professor in the same department and was attached to the university till his voluntary retirement in 1992. In 1991, he was appointed honorary chairman, Kerala Lalit Kala Akadenii. Initially, Ramachandran painted in an expressionist style which poignantly reflected the angst of urban life. The paintings were large, akin to murals, and comprised powerful figuration.By the Eighties, however, Ramachandran's work underwent a sea-change. Urban reality was no longer a preoccupation.