J.M.S. Mani

J.M.S. Mani born in 1949 was a celebrated Indian artist and dedicated educator whose contributions have left a lasting impact on contemporary Indian art. Born in Bangalore, Karnataka, he trained at the Ken School of Art under the mentorship of its founder, R.M. Hadapad. This mentorship not only shaped Mani’s artistic vision but also inspired his lifelong commitment to teaching and nurturing talent. After earning his diploma, Mani joined the same institution as a lecturer and eventually rose to become its Principal, a position he held until his retirement in 2007. Even after retiring, he continued to teach and create art until his passing in 2021, fostering a vibrant environment that encouraged free artistic exploration, particularly for students facing economic and social challenges.

Mani is best known for his iconic Badami Series, which vividly captures rural Karnataka life through bold figurative works. His striking brushwork, rich color palettes, and textured compositions bring to life scenes of villagers, tangawallas, fruit sellers, and everyday traditions, serving as poetic tributes to South Indian culture. His versatile artistic practice extended beyond painting to include watercolors, acrylics, oils, printmaking (etching and lithography), mixed media, and sculpture. His landscapes, often inspired by the rocky terrains and ruins of Hampi, and his deeply textured portraits explore themes of human resilience, fragility, and identity. Throughout his work, women appeared frequently as mothers, goddesses, and strangers, imbued with symbolic depth reflecting their complex societal roles.

Mani’s art blends traditional Indian subjects with a modernist sensibility, evolving from academic realism to expressionist distortions that emphasize emotional and cultural nuance. His mastery of form and his thoughtful exploration of the human condition earned him numerous accolades, including the Karnataka Lalit Kala Akademi Awards (1981, 1983) and the Karnataka State Award (2006). His works have been exhibited widely across India and internationally, including shows in London, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United States, and are held in prestigious private and public collections worldwide. Beyond his art, Mani’s enduring legacy lives on through the generations of artists he mentored and inspired, who continue to celebrate his commitment to creative freedom and expression.