At Lalit Kala Akademi, Ramalingam Muthukrishnan’s artworks reimagine the female form

In artist Ramalingam Muthukrishnan’s exhibition, women take the centre stage — their long, sinuous forms that appear both fragile yet powerful, exuding an enigmatic power that the artist traces back to traditional Indian sculptures. 

The 95 artworks currently on display at Lalit Kala Akademi are drawn from a larger body of works that the artist has been developing since 2013. Rendered in layers of ink and acrylic, the compositions are awash in turquoise blue, vivid teals, and rich magentas, while also reflecting memories of growing up in Chennai. Across these works, free-floating bananas — clustered and peeled — recur as repetitive motifs, often set against the background of a checkered floor where most scenes unfold. 

Born in 1957 in Chennai, Ramalingam’s journey as an artist is one marked by profound challenges. Deaf since birth and later diagnosed with Usher Syndrome, which caused tunnel vision and night blindness — his artworks reflect his resilience, perception, and visual depth.

Artwork by Ramalingam Muthukrishnan
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Ramalingam explains that the inkworks are influenced by artist Vijay Mohan, who is known for his charcoal and graphite works. “He was my teacher at the Government College of Arts, Chennai. His work had a great influence on me, which I later picked up as an artist. What may appear simple on canvas carries a strong sense of mathematical proportion — something I absorbed and carried forward in my own practise,” says Ramalingam. 

Despite his challenges, Ramalingam has exhibited widely across India and internationally. “The figurines are also inspired by my travels,” he says. He has also done solo and group shows in Brazil, US, Russia, UK, Spain, South Korea, Japan and France. He has also been part of prestigious residency programmes, including the Vermont Studio Center (USA), as well as programmes in other parts of the world. He has also contributed to academia and painting making at Gallaudet University, Washington, DC. 

When asked about the struggles of being an artist back then and today, Ramalingam laughs, “Back then, we did not have the internet, so we had to go out there and learn things.”

The exhibition is on till March 31, at the Lalit Kala Akademi, from 11am to 7pm. Entry Free