Born 1924 in Kuthuparamba, Kerala, K. G. Subramanyan was a luminary in the contemporary Indian art field, effecting a synthesis of modern and traditional art that broke free of traditional bounds to create a space for new cultural identity and dialogue. Subramanyan originally studied economics at Presidency College, Chennai and was drawn into the Indian freedom struggle. His career found new expression as an artist when he joined Kala Bhavan at the Visva Bharati University in Shanti Niketan.

His work, much like his own life, echoes the spirit of transition and evolution that was characteristic of the cultural, political and creative climate around him. Strong roots in theory and history weave together a rich vocabulary of figures, elements, colours and symbols from traditional indian folk expressions with western modernist influences. His ideas and intentions found voice through a variety of mediums including painting, murals, sculpture, printmaking, set designing and toy making. 

Subramanyan received the Kalidas Samman (1981) the Padma Shri (1975), the Padma Vibhushan (2012) from the Government of India,  and became a Fellow of the Kerala Lalit Kala Akademi (1993). He has written extensively on contemporary Indian art, besides writing and illustrating children’s fables. His works have been exhibited in numerous retrospective shows, and are significantly represented in E. Alkazi’s collection of contemporary Indian art.