Artist on Spotlight

Yusuf Arakkal (1945–2016) was a prominent Indian modern artist renowned for his deeply empathetic depictions of human suffering, urban solitude, and the quiet dignity of the working class. Born in Chavakkad, Kerala, Arakkal faced early hardship, losing both parents as a teenager—an experience that profoundly shaped his melancholic, reflective visual language.

He honed his craft at the Chitrakala Parishath in Bengaluru under the mentorship of legendary artist K.C.S. Paniker. Arakkal’s expansive body of work spans paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints. Visually, his art is instantly recognizable for its moody palettes—dominated by deep ochres, burnt sienna, charcoal blacks, and muted grays—punctuated by heavy textures, scraped impasto, and architectural geometry.