Past exhibitions

Abdulrahim Appabhai Almelkar’s art sings—a lyrical dance of bold lines, intricate patterns, and jewel-toned brilliance. His brushwork moves like poetry, weaving together India’s folk and miniature traditions into a visual symphony. Each stroke is a melody, each composition a rhythm.
Almelkar did not just paint; he composed, orchestrating a world where tradition and innovation exist in perfect cadence. Almelkar occupied a unique position in Indian art history, bridging the transition between the Bengal School’s nationalist revivalism and the academic realism of the Sir J.J. School of Art. His work sits between the pre-modernists and the Progressive Artists' Group, making him a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in the evolution of Indian modern art.
This exhibition invites you to step into the lyrical traditions of Almelkar’s art—a space where every detail hums with history and every colour sings of India's timeless beauty. His figures, often adorned in elaborate patterns, gaze from beneath heavy lids, carrying stories as old as time. The grace of his lines, both precise and fluid, creates a harmony that feels almost musical—an echo of the past reimagined for the present. Almelkar’s work stands as a vital link in Indian art’s journey, blending heritage with innovation, tradition with transformation. His legacy remains a testament to the enduring power of visual storytelling, where every stroke resonates with the soul of a nation.

Almelkar’s role as a bridge between these artistic movements is evident in his stylistic fusion, where he combined the decorative stylization of the Bengal School with a bold, rhythmic quality while incorporating the depth and structure of J.J. School training. His distinctive linework was characterized by intricate detailing, often resembling folk and miniature styles but with a modern, dynamic approach. His subject matter frequently depicted rural and tribal life in India, echoing the themes of Jamini Roy but executed with greater elaboration and texture. As a precursor to modernism, while not a member of the Progressive Group, his experimental use of line, form, and indigenous themes set the stage for later Indian modernists.

Exhibitions

Ski(e)n: Re-membering through Performance and Thread

Madras Art Weekend 2026

Engraving, Emprire, and Modernism

Art Mumbai 2026

Liminal Line: Ashok Bhowmick's Artistic Legacy

34th Ravi Jain Memorial Foundation Exhibition

In Dialogue, Across Time

Silent Viewer

Timescape: Exploration of topography through the modernist lens

Roop Aroop: Solo show by Jogen Chowdhury

(Un)Layering the Future Past of South Asia

India Art Fair 2025

Line, Colour, & Tradition

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