S L Haldankar, a renowned Indian painter, was born in 1882 in Sawantwadi, an erstwhile Princely State in Maharashtra His artistic abilities were recognized early on by the headmaster of his school, who granted him a scholarship to attend the Sir JJ School of Art in Bombay Under the tutelage of prominent artists Mahadev Vishwanath Dhurandhar and Cecil Leonard Burns, Haldankar excelled in both watercolours and oils, with particular expertise in portraiture

In 1908, Haldankar established the Haldankar Fine Arts Institute in Bombay, where he trained numerous aspiring painters He also co-founded the Art Society of India in 1918, serving as its inaugural president His contributions to the art world have left an indelible mark on the Indian painting scene

Haldankar was also renowned for his use of light and shade, which he employed to create depth and dimension in his paintings His mastery of colour was also evident in his work, as he used a range of hues to capture the intricate details of his subjects

S L Haldankar's art is a testament to his skill and creativity as a painter His realistic and detailed style, combined with his use of light and colour, has made his work highly regarded in the art world, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists

Haldankar's art has been showcased in several cities across India, including Mumbai, Madras, and Simla, as well as in the Royal Society of British Artists in London In recognition of his achievements, SL Haldankar was honoured by the President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad, after the country gained independence