Madhav Satwalekar (Maharashtra)
About Artist
Born on August 13, 1915, in Lahore, Madhav Satwalekar is a pioneer of contemporary Indian art. Determined to build on the legacy left by his father, Pandit S.D. Satwalekar, a renowned painter and Vedic scholar, the artist pursued his formal education at Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, where he won the prestigious Mayo Medal in 1935. He further refined his skills through advanced studies in Europe, attending the Florence Academy, Slade School in London, and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris between 1937 and 1940. Satwalekar drew inspiration from both British academic realism and indigenous decorative trends, alongside contemporaries like N.S. Bendre, K.K. Hebbar, and M.R. Achrekar. His first solo exhibition, held in 1945 at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai, marked the beginning of a distinguished career. Over the decades, Satwalekar exhibited across India and internationally, with over 30 solo shows in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, including exhibitions in Uganda, Kenya, and Zanzibar. A notable exhibition of his watercolors in 1998 at Sans Tache Art Gallery highlighted his ability to capture the rustic charm of Rajasthan’s villages and architecture. Satwalekar served as Director of Art for Maharashtra State during the 1970s and 1980s and co-founded the Indian Art Institute to promote art awareness. His work is housed in several private and public collections in India and abroad, and he also authored numerous articles and booklets on art. The artist passed away in 2006, leaving behind a significant legacy in Indian art.Artwork
