Today (March 18, 2023) marks the 156th birthday anniversary of artist MV Dhurandhar, an Indian painter and postcard artist from the British colonial era. Best known for his mastery in bringing the characters and stories from Indian mythology to life through his paintings, Dhurandhar’s mythological works often depict the gods and goddesses of Hinduism, as well as scenes from great epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
However, the lesser-known aspect of his grand oeuvre is several landscape paintings he created. Dhurandhar’s landscape paintings capture the beauty and majesty of the Indian countryside. He was particularly interested in portraying the rural landscapes of Maharashtra, where he grew up – rolling hills, lush forests, and tranquil water bodies. At times, he also incorporated human figures and animals in his works, adding a sense of life and movement to the landscapes.

Sneha Gautam, Vice President – Client Relations at AstaGuru Auction House, an online platform involved in Modern and Contemporary Art among other items, writes about veteran artist’s life and art.