A. P. Santhanaraj carved a distinct space for himself in Indian modern art through his bold and unorthodox approach to line, abstraction, and unconscious figuration. Emerging from the vibrant Madras art scene after the pioneering generation of K. C. S. Paniker and S. Dhanapal, he became one of the most influential artists and mentors of his time.
Born in 1932 in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, Santhanaraj studied at the Government School of Arts and Crafts, Madras, where he earned his Diploma in Painting in 1953. His connection with the institution continued throughout his life: he joined the faculty soon after graduating and eventually rose to become its principal, retiring in 1990. In his decades as a teacher, he shaped an entire generation of artists who went on to achieve national recognition, including R. B. Bhaskaran, Velu Vishwanadhan, Alphonso Arul Doss, M. X. Susairaj, C. Douglas, Rm. Palaniappan, and K. Muralidharan.
Santhanaraj’s art was defined by experimentation and an intuitive process. He often worked by placing scraps of paper on his canvas, moving them around and rotating the surface repeatedly. This free-flowing method allowed him to discover new forms in line and colour, where abstraction gave way to unconscious figuration, frequently revealing the suggestion of a female figure. His work was also deeply influenced by the spirit of Indian classical abstraction, which gave his canvases both rootedness and universality.
Though celebrated for his abstractions, Santhanaraj was equally adept at portraiture. His portrait sculpture of independence activist Karumuthu Thiagarajan Chettiar remains a notable example of his command over form. His artistic contributions also extend into the public sphere, with frescoes that continue to adorn the halls of the Lok Sabha in New Delhi and the Madras High Court. Santhanaraj’s works are housed in important collections, including the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. In 2011, Focus Art Gallery, Chennai, honoured his legacy with a major posthumous exhibition, reaffirming his place as a key figure in the history of modern Indian art. A quiet yet powerful force, Santhanaraj dedicated his life to both creating and teaching. He passed away in May 2009 at Chitlapakkam, near Tambaram in Chennai, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire artists and art lovers alike.
