K M Adimoolam, born in 1938, in Tiruchirapalli, in Tamil Nadu was an abstract painter. In his early years he had a natural aptitude for drawing and would often draw on a slate at his school. While growing up, he was fascinated with Tamil artforms like Therukoothu, Thanjavur paintings, Tholpavai Koothu, and terracotta sculptures that surrounded him.

The artist moved to Chennai in 1959 under the influence of sculptor S Dhanapal and this move changed the course of his life. In 1961, he studied at the Government College of Arts and Craft, Chennai and completed his Diploma in Advanced Painting in 1966. During these years he would often travel around to different places with his classmates to paint landscapes and portraits, and seek inspiration.

The influence of modern Western painting styles like Cubism and Impressionism is prevalent in his works. These were introduced to him by his school principal at that time K C S Paniker. Later on, he developed his own modern style inspired by traditional Indian art and Western art movements. After completing his training in 1966, he created a series of black and white portraits of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi and sketched 100 drawings of the icon that covered over 60 years of Gandhi's life to commemorate his birth centenary. Here, he came into contact with the Modern Tamil Writers group and started translating words into canvases. He worked with the association on several illustrations, book covers, and layouts.

The exposure to Western artists and their techniques influenced him to shift to abstract form and add colour to his compositions. His abstract visions were dramatic and transcendental in nature. Through his canvases he would explore the mystical relationship between nature and humans. He depicted his innermost thoughts about his journey through nature, meant to invoke emotions in the viewers. 

K M Adimoolam was honoured with several awards including the National Award, Lalit Kala Academy (1979); Hyderabad Art Society’s Award (1965); Mumbai Art Society's Award (1966) and more. Throughout his career, he exhibited extensively and showcased his works in numerous solo and group shows in Indian and international venues. His solo exhibitions included 'Abstract', Art Motif, New Delhi(2007); Berkeley Square Gallery, London (2005); Crimson Art Resource with Windsor Sheraton, Bangalore (2003), British Council, Chennai (1994); First Solo Show, Chennai (1966) and more. He participated in several group shows including India Fine Arts, Mumbai (2006); 'Indian Artists' Show', Prakriti Gallery, Hong Kong (2004); 'Still Life', Art Motif, New Delhi (2004); Art Heritage Show, New Delhi (1983), Sakshi Gallery, Chennai (1988); Art Heritage Show, New Delhi (1983); Seven South Indian Painters, Australia (1973), among others. The artist also served as a jury member for the National Exhibition of Art, New Delhi, and Bombay Art Society's Annual All India Art Exhibition. In 1990, he was appointed the Commissioner for the Indian section in the Third Ankara Biennial in Turkey in 1990.

Adimoolam passed away in 2008 in Chennai.

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