Born in Gujarat in 1939, Manu Parekh is among India’s most celebrated modern painters, known for his dynamic compositions and expressive use of colour and line. He completed a Diploma in Drawing and Painting from the Sir J J School of Art, Mumbai, in 1962. Parekh’s early works explored the relationship between man and nature, which he viewed as an energetic and vital connection that demanded celebration. Over time, the idea of contradiction, between life and death, serenity and turmoil, spirituality and sensuality, came to define the foundation of his artistic practice.

Parekh’s work is marked by a powerful visual language in which organic forms, bold outlines and vivid colours generate an almost volatile energy. His paintings often evoke intense emotional states, pain, anguish and spiritual contemplation, encouraging viewers to engage more deeply with the world around them. The artist has long been fascinated by the tension inherent within natural forms, including the sensuality and vitality embedded in them, which he expresses through pulsating colours and rhythmic compositions.

His surroundings have played a crucial role in shaping his artistic vision. During his time in Calcutta, Parekh developed a deep appreciation for the legacy of Santiniketan and the works of Ramkinkar Baij and Rabindranath Tagore. While not stylistically derivative, their influence sharpened his perceptual approach and encouraged him to explore the philosophical underpinnings of his own work.

The city of Banaras became a pivotal subject in Parekh’s oeuvre following his first visit after the death of his father. The city’s unique coexistence of faith, ritual, life and mortality provided the artist with a rich terrain of contradictions that resonated deeply with his practice. The ghats, temples and spiritual atmosphere of Banaras have since become recurring motifs in his paintings, rendered through intense colour fields and expressive forms.

Parekh held his first solo exhibition of graphics and paintings in Ahmedabad in 1968. Since then, his work has been widely exhibited in India and internationally. His achievements have been recognised with several honours, including the President of India’s Silver Plaque and the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society Award in 1972, the National Award from the Lalit Kala Akademi in 1982, and the Padma Shri from the Government of India in 1992.