Description

Dr. J S Khanderao (b. 1940) obtained a Diploma in drawing and painting at Sir J.J. School of Art,Mumbai. (1963) and  passed  B.A. Degree from Karnataka University, Dharwad (1975).  He is the founder of - The Ideal Fine Art Institute, Gulbarga (1965) and served as Principal for seven years. Later he worked as Lecturer & Head of Dept. of Fine Art (Drawing & Painting) and as Director and Head of the Department of Post Graduate Studies in Fine Art (Drawing & Painting) at Sri Sharanabasaweshwar Arts College, Gulbarga till his retirement in 1998. He was a Member of Karnataka Lalit Kala Academy (1985-87) and Chairman, Karnataka Lalit Kala Academy (2008-2011).

An extremely versatile artist, Khanderao has explored both technique and creativity in his works that include landscapes, portraits, drawings, still life, paintings that focus on mythology, folk culture, and compositions. His participation during the SAARC art camp in 1985 was a turning point that brought him appreciation for his newly evolved technique in abstraction. His technique of achieving transparency of colours in the medium of oil continues to be recognised and led to his popular series.of ‘Windows’  that worked on the effects of the reflection of light on glass windows. Khanderao’s command over purity of colours and rhythm in division of space has evolved into a distinct style.

He has received many awards and accolades during his career including the Karnataka Lalit Kala Academy art exhibition award (1968, 69, 70 & 80), and Gourav Prashasthi by Karnataka State Lalit Kala Academy Bangalore 1988. He was awarded the Senior Artist Fellowship (Painting), Department of Culture Govt. of India- New Delhi in 2002.  An important retrospective exhibition of his works was held at the NGMA Bengaluru in 2019, which explored four decades long practice of Khanderao as a painter and an art educator.