A A Almelkar Indian, 1920-1982
Overview
"My mother was busy embroidering all through her pregnancy and I probably inherited the art from her at that stage”
A A Almelkar
Born in Solapur, Maharashtra, Abdulrahim Appabhai Almelkar was an accomplished artist renowned for his beautiful and intricate works of art. His earlier works drew inspiration from masters such as N. S. Bendre and Walter Langhammer. Incorporating naturalism and figuration, he often introduced folk themes and figures in his paintings.
Not only was Almelkar a master of stylized figuration, but his colour palette spoke of his ingenious use of earthy tones. Almelkar's application of folk renditions further enhanced the diversity and appeal of his artworks. Abdulrahim Appabhai Almelkar's work garners praises for its visual vocabulary and themes. These qualities grasp the viewer and leaves them with a sense of amazement.
He completed his bachelor's programme in fine arts from J.J. School of Art, and during his time there, he gained several accolades to his name. Almelkar gained recognition and fetched many prestigious awards such as the Governor's Award of the Bombay Art Society in 1948, the Art Society of India award in 1955, and the Lalit Kala Academy's national award in 1956 and 1960. His artworks made their way to exhibits not only in India but also in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Ceylon. Before joining as a lecturer at J. J. School of Art, Almelkar was serving the role of a principal at a private school called Nutan Kala Mandir in Bangalore.
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