Lakshmi Krishnamurthy
is an artist, research scholar, and restorer who serves as Head of the Visual Arts Department at Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, Kalakshetra Foundation. She has been connected with Kalakshetra for 40 years.
Born and raised in the village of Moolangudi in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, she was influenced by the historical novel Ponniyin Selvan.
She worked as art director on the Encyclopaedia of Hinduism project spanning 10 volumes across 20 years and received the Tagore Senior Fellowship.
is an artist, research scholar, and restorer who serves as Head of the Visual Arts Department at Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts, Kalakshetra Foundation. She has been connected with Kalakshetra for 40 years.
Born and raised in the village of Moolangudi in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, she was influenced by the historical novel Ponniyin Selvan.
She worked as art director on the Encyclopaedia of Hinduism project spanning 10 volumes across 20 years and received the Tagore Senior Fellowship.
Lakshmi Krishnamurthy
Chennai | Artist & Researcher
Journey
Lakshmi grew up in Thanjavur surrounded by Tanjore paintings, astonished by the relief work, stones, and paint. She studied Biochemistry and Foods and Nutrition, but art always called to her.
Her formal art journey began in 1986 at age 43 when her children left for college. She joined Kalakshetra, which became more than a school to her. She wanted to know the soul of the work: how canvases were prepared, techniques used, and the history behind colors.
Style
Lakshmi's work is rooted in traditional painting informed by Agamas, iconographic codes, and art history. She works as a research scholar, restorer, artist, and teacher.
For her, art is about sharing and giving, a divine gift she attributes to her soil and the history that flows through it. Her work draws from the cultural inheritance of Tamil Nadu and Pan-Indian art forms.
Journey
Lakshmi grew up in Thanjavur surrounded by Tanjore paintings, astonished by the relief work, stones, and paint. She studied Biochemistry and Foods and Nutrition, but art always called to her.
Her formal art journey began in 1986 at age 43 when her children left for college. She joined Kalakshetra, which became more than a school to her. She wanted to know the soul of the work: how canvases were prepared, techniques used, and the history behind colors.
Lakshmi Krishnamurthy
Chennai | Artist & Researcher
Style
Lakshmi's work is rooted in traditional painting informed by Agamas, iconographic codes, and art history. She works as a research scholar, restorer, artist, and teacher.
For her, art is about sharing and giving, a divine gift she attributes to her soil and the history that flows through it. Her work draws from the cultural inheritance of Tamil Nadu and Pan-Indian art forms.
