User:DitipriyaGhosh/sandbox/Abdulrahim Appabhai Almelkar

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<ref> Abdulrahim Apabhai Almelkar (1920 - 1982) was an Indian painter born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He joined Sir JJ School of Art, Mumbai and graduated in 1948. In early days of learning he was influenced by works of Bendre and Langhammer. He won the Governor’s award at Bombay Art Society exhibition in 1948 In 1954 he won the Gold Medal of Bombay Art Society. This was followed by series of prestigious awards such as Art Society of India in 1955, Lalit Kala Academy Award in 1956 and 1960. Around 20 gold medals and 24 silver medals were awarded to the legend for his incredible art and 40 solo exhibitions at his credit which were not only in India but in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Ceylon. Almelkar’s work was exhibited in several solo and group shows in India and internationally. His selected collections are with National Gallery of Modern Art and Lalit Kala Akademi. Almelkar passed away in December 1982 at the age of 62.

Life and education

Born on October 10, 1920 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, his family shifted later to Almelkar in the erstwhile undivided district of Bijapur when the painter was a little boy. Carrying the passion of art from his childhood itself, Almelkar pursued art education in Nutan Kala Mandir, Bombay in 1940. In his later years, he obtained a Diploma in Drawing and Painting from Sir. J.J School of Arts, Mumbai, in 1948. He breathed his last in Pune on December 12, 1982 after a massive heart attack.

Work

Known for his distinct ‘Almelkar style’ of painting which was profusely inspired by Indian miniatures, Almelkar was deeply rooted in traditional Indian values and ethos which are distinctly palpable in his work. Though he was under tremendous psychological pressure from his contemporaries to adopt a new and modern artistic style, his elemental obsession for traditional values gave a valiant resistance to all challenges. Almelkar meticulously carved his work on the canvas using motley colours and decorative elements in a variety of compositions. His unique style often made him use bare fingers instead of the brush to get the art of his choice.

Almelkar was also was lured into the primitive world of the tribal which is richly incorporated in his works. The diverse and vibrant village life along with nature proved to be an added inspiration for Almelkar to paint pictures. His work features only the lighter, blissful and rejoicing aspect of tribal life, and as admirers say, Almelkar was not interested in the dismal side of their lives. Almelkar won numerous awards for his excellent work, including the Governor’s award at Bombay Art Society exhibition in 1948 and Gold Medal of Bombay Art Society in 1954. In 1960, he received the National Award from Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi.

In 1955, some eminent political leaders from Malaysia and Indonesia, during their visit to India, bought Almelkar’s paintings. Subsequently, in 1960, the Malayan Federation Art Council invited Almelkar to hold an exhibition in their country, offering the artist his first chance to visit abroad. He spent about four months travelling extensively. He returned to India with thousands of sketches which inspired him to paint on South East Asian themes which were sold quickly in exhibitions back home.