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Rm. Palaniappan

The Madras School of Art and Craft became an epicentre for various artists who were invested in establishing their very own form of Regional Modernism. K. C. S. Paniker, serving as Principal from 1957 to 1966, spearheaded a significant transformation at the school. As an educator, he shifted the institution's focus from Western influences to embrace a more indigenous perspective. Paniker not only broadened the curriculum but also fostered a culture of hands-on exploration. It was during this period, in the 1960s, that the art of printmaking was introduced to the school.

Among the notable printmakers to emerge from the Madras School was Ramnathan Palaniappan (b. 1957). While initially pursuing a diploma in industrial design in 1980, Palaniappan later worked on ceramics with a specialization. His foray into printmaking began in 1981, coinciding with the establishment of The Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre in Madras.

Written By Bhakti S. Hattarki