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Chennai Art: From Rs 10 to Rs 15 Lakhs
21 Mar
Summary
- Artists once sold works for Rs 10, now worth Rs 15 lakhs.
- Chennai's art market grew from obscurity to recognition.
- Contemporary art now has takers, unlike decades ago.
In the 1960s, Chennai's art scene was nascent. Artists like Ramanujam, supported by figures like K C S Paniker, created exceptional works despite financial struggles and family disapproval. Ramanujam's art, once sold for Rs 10, is now valued at Rs 15 lakhs, highlighting a remarkable shift.
The establishment of Cholamandal Artists' Village in 1966 and Sarala's Art World 60 years ago marked early steps toward legitimizing contemporary art in Madras. Initially, survival depended on framing services and craft sales, as traditional art like Tanjore paintings dominated buyer preferences.
Despite the presence of early galleries like Apparao Galleries from the 1980s, the market remained niche, with collectors preferring artists who gained national recognition elsewhere. The liberalization period after 2000 saw gradual growth, with a notable boom around 2004-2005.
Today, the Chennai art market is more transparent due to social media and online platforms. While still developing compared to other major cities, artists like Paniker and P Perumal are gaining attention. Works by artists from the Madras Art Movement, such as K M Adimoolam and Achuthan Kudallur, have shown strong performance at auctions, often exceeding estimates.
