Abdulrahim Appabhai Almelkar was born on 10 October 1920 in Solapur, Maharashtra. He graduated from the Sir J. J. School of Art, Bombay, in 1948, where he won several prizes for his work. His association with the Art Society of India and Bombay Art Society brought him early recognition and led to a distinguished career with over forty solo exhibitions.
Inspired by Walter Langhammer, N. S. Bendre, European art, and Indian folk and miniature traditions, Almelkar developed a distinctive style combining naturalistic, figurative, and modern elements. He often painted ordinary people, fishermen, tribal communities, and the landscapes of Maharashtra. He received numerous awards, including Lalit Kala Akademi National Awards in 1956 and 1960. He passed away in December 1982.
