Manu Parekh: A Living Legend of Indian Modern Art

Manu Parekh was born in 1939 in Ahmedabad. He is one of India’s most celebrated modern painters. He is known for turning raw human emotion into visual strokes of colours. He was trained at the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai. Parekh’s artistic roots were shaped by his early interest in theatre and crafts. It gave him a keen eye for drama and symbolism. His career began not just with painting but also in design as he worked with the Weaver’s Service Centre and the Handloom Board. This enhanced his knowledge of material and technique.

When he moved to Varanasi in the 1980s; it became a turning point in his journey. The city’s spiritual intensity such as the sacred Ganges alongside burning ghats - deeply moved him. His “Banaras series” became iconic. It captured not just the landscape but the very pulse of life and death in bright colors.

Parekh’s art mixes expressionism with symbolism. His canvases are never quiet - they are always filled with energy, conflict and faith. Over the decades, his works have been exhibited worldwide, including the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi. He was honored with the Padma Shri in 1992 and the Lalit Kala Akademi Award. These marked his place as a master of contemporary Indian art.

An interesting fact is that Parekh often said that painting Varanasi was like painting his own state of mind, where chaos and calm coexisted. Today, his works remain collectors’ favorites. They serve as evidence that art can evoke strong feelings in people.