K.V Haridasan

 K.V. Haridasan (1937-2014) was a distinguished Indian artist known for his contributions to the Neo-Tantra movement in contemporary art. Born in Cannanore, Kerala, Haridasan earned his diploma in Painting from the College of Arts and Crafts, Madras. He was a prominent member of the Cholamandal Artists' Village from 1965 to 2013. Haridasan served as a professor and principal at the College of Fine Arts, Kerala, and was the Editor of Art Trends magazine from 1979 to 1985. In 1994, he was recognized as an Eminent Artist by the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi.

Haridasan's work is deeply rooted in Indian mysticism and philosophy, focusing on traditional geometric and colourful motifs pervasive in Tantric teachings. His exploration of these motifs included vertical lines, concentric circles, ovals, flames, lotus petals, bull heads, triangles, and mask heads. He believed that Tantra, deeply connected to Indian folk traditions, could be expressed in the abstracted form of painting through the pure creation of colour fields, harmony, and rhythm.

His notable Yantra series (1968-71), including works like Prakruthi Yantra (1969), marked a significant turning point in his career, establishing him as a leading Neo-Tantric artist alongside contemporaries like Biren De and GR Santosh. Haridasan’s works have been exhibited in numerous prestigious shows, including the Paris Biennale (1971), the Second Indian Trienniale (1971), and the British Council, Chennai (1971).

Haridasan received several accolades throughout his career, including the Lalit Kala Puraskaram from the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi in 2003 and the Raja Ravi Varma Puraskaram in 2013. His book, Intimations on Art – Indian, Western, Modernity, Tradition & Tantra (1992), highlighted his exploration of Tantric principles and their relation to modern and contemporary art. Haridasan died in 2014 at the Cholamandal Artists’ Village, leaving behind a legacy of profound artistic contributions.