History Paintings & Portraits of Indian Leaders

Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, K.S. Kulkarni, Oil on Canvas

Location: Banquet Hall

Born in a peasant family in Andhra Pradesh in 1913, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy became the first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Member of Parliament, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Union Minister and the youngest President of India from 1977-1982. He studied at the Government Arts College, Madras and participated in Quit India Movement during 1940- 1945. He died of pneumonia in 1996.

A green curtain followed by a circular pillar resting atop a square base can be seen on his right. Standing atop a yellow carpet, Dr. Reddy is wearing a black  bandhgala with its folds gathered below and a white churidar. His oval face, thin lips and eyes contrast with his broad framed spectacles. Vegetation in the background is painted in rapid strokes.

K.S. Kulkarni obtained diploma in fine arts in murals from J. J. School of Art, Bombay in 1940. He developed an individual pictorial language amalgamating aspects of modern and traditional. He became member of the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society and later became the Founder – President of Delhi Shilpi Chakra. He served as the Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi, Luckhnow in 1972 and later became the Vice- Chairman of Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi from 1973- 1978.