Gone too soon

The passing of A. Ramachandran and Gogi Saroj Pal has created a void that can never be filled.

The year 2024 had a sombre start. The Indian art fraternity lost two great artists. Art Soul Life pays homage to the great artist A. Ramachandran Nair and Gogi Saroj Pal for their immense contribution to Indian art and their significance in shaping and influencing art universally.

Achutan Ramachandran Nair

A painter and a sculptor Ramachandran was born in 1935 in Attingal in Kerala where he embarked on his artistic journey. Captivated by the ancient murals adorning temple walls and mesmerized by the vibrant performances of Kathakali, his thought process was deeply influenced by traditional Indian art. However, it was not until he completed his studies at Santiniketan that Ramachandran experienced a breakthrough, creating paintings inspired by the legend of Yayati in the mid-1980s. This narrative from the Mahabharata, where a king in his old age asks his son to grant him youth to indulge in worldly pleasures, unfolds in a contemporary setting in Ramachandran's work. His paintings are rich with lush vegetation, wildlife, and graceful women, with lotus ponds symbolizing fertility and feminine energy, adding a dynamic element to his narrative.

Ramachandran's comprehensive overview encompassed murals, intricate miniatures, etchings, sculptures, and book illustrations, along with his design of stamps. He embraced life fully, dedicating much of his time to artistic pursuits and engaging with people with a touch of humour.