Born in Coimbatore in 1911, K. C. S. Paniker received his early education in Kerala. He began painting landscapes when he was just 11. By the age of 17, he was already exhibiting at the Madras Fine Arts Society's annual shows. In 1918, he gave up college education to take up a job at the Indian Telegraph Department to support his family after the death of his father. At the age of 25 he joined the Government School of Arts and Crafts in Chennai. Influenced by the great Indian spiritual thinkers, Paniker tried to interpret the metaphysical through his artworks.

His first international exposure came in 1954 when he held exhibitions in London and Paris. In the same year Paniker was nominated as an eminent artist-member of the Lalit Kala Akademi. In 1957, the artist succeeded D. P. Roy Chowdhury as principal of the Madras School of Art.

K. C. S. Paniker died in Chennai at the age 66 in January 1977.

WORK

Life of Buddha
by K C S Paniker
Oil on board
1956

Words & Symbols
by K C S Paniker
27" x 34 1/4"
Oil on canvas
1968

The Dog
by K C S Paniker
Oil on canvas
1973

ESSAYS

Drawing

by Paritosh Sen

Remembering a very special friend

Writing about K. C. S. Paniker at once evokes many memories of variegated hues about which a whole book can be written. We were not only classmates but also happily shared a room for more than two years. This was an unforgettable period in my life for many

K C S Paniker and his Words and Symbols

by Pranab Ranjan Ray

K C S Paniker (1911 - 1977) was an inspiring art educationist. Two generations of better known artists from the deep south would testify to the true content of the statement. But that does not say much about his significant contribution to modern Indian art. Of a greater importance was his role as

K C S Paniker

Drawing

K C S Paniker and his Words and Symbols

NOTICEBOARD

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