A. P. Santhanaraj

A. P. Santhanaraj (1932–2009) was a significant figure of the Madras art movement, recognised for his distinctive exploration of line, colour, abstraction, and unconscious figuration. Born in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, he trained at the Government School of Arts and Crafts, Madras, earning his Diploma in Painting in 1953. He later joined the institution as an instructor and served as its principal until his retirement in 1990. Santhanaraj developed an unconventional working process in which spontaneous arrangements and shifting perspectives allowed forms—often female figures—to emerge intuitively. Drawing inspiration from classical Indian abstraction, he also created portraits and frescoes, including works for the Lok Sabha and Madras High Court. His works are held in prestigious collections, including the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.