Dakshinamoorthy is regarded as a significant figure among the generation of artists who shaped modern art in South India during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Working within the dynamic artistic milieu of Madras, he was part of a broader movement that sought to articulate a distinctly modern visual language while remaining rooted in India’s rich artistic traditions. His practice reflects this synthesis, balancing experimentation with a strong sense of cultural continuity.

He graduated from the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Chennai, in 1966, and later pursued advanced studies in printmaking as a British Council scholar at the Croydon College of Design and Technology, London, in 1978. His exposure to both Indian and international contexts informed a versatile and evolving practice.

Dakshinamoorthy’s work draws inspiration from close observation of people, particularly their gestures, expressions, and behavioural rhythms. His visual vocabulary is influenced by traditional Ayyanar sculptures as well as African forms, which he reinterprets across a range of media including stone, ceramic, and bronze. Alongside sculpture, he has worked extensively in painting, using acrylic, watercolour, ink, and mixed media.

He has exhibited widely in India and internationally, with early solo exhibitions in London and Croydon in 1978. His contributions have been recognised with several honours, including the National Award from the Lalit Kala Akademi in 1986.