Master artist who captured India’s heritage on his canvas

The Karnataka Chitakala Parishath celebrates a century of MS Chandrasekhar’s artistic journey through the exhibition “Eternal Echoes” from April 19 to 28, featuring his original paintings in watercolour and oil painting, alongside Ajanta reproductions, egg tempera, pencil sketches, and pen and ink drawings. He is a distinguished artist whose remarkable contributions have left an indelible mark on the Indian art scene.

Born on April 16, 1924, into a family of Sanskrit scholars in Nanjanagudu, Chandrasekhar’s artistic journey began at a young age. Shylaja Ramesh, his daughter, said, “Despite completing his formal education up to matriculation, my father’s passion for art remained unwavering. Under the tutelage of his esteemed mentor, Tankasale, at the Chamarajendra Technical Institute in Mysore, his talent for landscape painting flourished, earning him accolades such as the Maharaja Gold Medal in the Mysore Dasara of 1948. His artistic prowess continued to garner recognition, with prestigious titles from the Calcutta Art Society and Bombay Art Society solidifying his reputation as a distinguished artist.”

In 1956, his exceptional work at the Vidhana Soudha Banquet Hall caught the attention of dignitaries, leading to his recommendation for a pivotal role at the Archaeological Survey of India post at Ajanta. After a rigorous selection process, he was appointed as a senior artist at the Ajanta Caves in 1957, marking a significant milestone in his career. Tasked with the monumental responsibility of restoring and reproducing the ancient murals, Chandrasekhar embarked on a profound journey to preserve India’s rich artistic heritage. Over the next 25 years, he immersed himself in meticulously reproducing these priceless murals, demonstrating exceptional dedication and skill.

His painstaking reproductions of Ajanta murals also served as a testament to his commitment to cultural heritage. The reproductions at Ajanta Caves stand as the sole surviving replicas, faithfully preserving the originals in size, technique, and essence. These murals, now housed in the National Archives, bear witness to his dedication to ensuring the timeless legacy of India’s mural paintings, which were way ahead of their time. “He was celebrated for his mastery in oilcolours and landscape paintings; the seamlessly blended techniques of watercolour transparency gave him the name of a master colourist of Indian rural landscape,” added Ramesh.