Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Gulam Rasool-Santosh Biography
Gulam Rasool Santosh, born in 1929 in the picturesque valley of Srinagar, Kashmir, emerged as a beacon of modern Indian art, intertwining the spiritual essence of his homeland with the avant-garde movements of the 20th century. His journey from a modest background to becoming a celebrated artist and poet is a testament to his relentless pursuit of artistic and spiritual exploration.
In the wake of his father's death, Santosh's early life was marked by hardship, compelling him to abandon formal education. He took up various jobs, including signboard painting, silk weaving, and papier-mâché artistry, to support his family. Despite these challenges, his passion for art remained undeterred. Santosh's artistic inclinations were evident from a young age, and he was particularly drawn to the mysticism and geometric beauty of the Kashmir valley, which would later become a hallmark of his work.
Santosh's formal foray into the world of art began in 1954 when he won a government scholarship to study Fine Arts under the tutelage of N.S. Bendre at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. This period marked a significant turning point in his career, exposing him to the broader currents of Indian and Western art movements. It was here that he began experimenting with Cubism, which significantly influenced his early landscapes.
However, Santosh's artistic journey took a profound turn following a visit to the Amarnath caves in 1964. This experience ignited his interest in Shaivism and Tantra, leading him to delve deeply into these esoteric traditions. Over the next two years, he dedicated himself to studying these subjects, which culminated in the development of a unique idiom that fused spiritual symbolism with modernist aesthetics. This phase of his work is characterized by symmetrical compositions, vibrant colors, and the use of sacred geometry, reflecting the concepts of Shunya (the void) and the generative forces of Shiva and Shakti.
Santosh's contributions to the Neo-Tantric movement in art were groundbreaking. He is credited with spearheading this movement, which sought to reinterpret traditional Indian spiritual concepts through a contemporary lens. His artworks, often featuring abstract forms and tantric symbols, evoke a sense of transcendence and the interplay between the material and the spiritual.
Throughout his career, Santosh received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri in 1977, three National Awards from the Lalit Kala Akademi, and the Sahitya Akademi Award for his poetry in 1979. His works have been exhibited globally, including at the Paris Biennale, the Sao Paulo Biennale, and the Royal Academy of Art in London, among others.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Santosh was also a recognized poet and an authority on Kashmir Shaivism. He wrote extensively in Kashmiri, contributing plays, poetry, and essays that further explored the themes of mysticism and spirituality that permeated his artworks. His deep understanding of Shaivism and his ability to articulate its complex philosophies made him a pivotal figure in the cultural discourse of his time.
Santosh's marriage to his childhood sweetheart, Santosh, a Kashmiri Pandit, and his decision to adopt her name is a reflection of his unconventional spirit and his belief in the unity of diverse traditions. This personal union symbolized the broader syncretism that characterized his work, where the boundaries between the personal, the artistic, and the spiritual were seamlessly blurred.
Gulam Rasool Santosh passed away on March 10, 1997, in New Delhi, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and intrigue. His life and work stand as a testament to the power of art to transcend the mundane, offering glimpses into the profound depths of human consciousness and the universal quest for the divine.
Gulam Rasool-Santosh Quotes
and Sales of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
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professionalism.
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