Question

Name the artist who created a visual sense of cosmic union of male and female energy, reminding us of purusha and prakriti of the Tantric philosophy.

• A. K.C.S. Paniker
• B. G.R. Santosh
• C. Biren De
• D. Ram Kumar

Hint:

Remember the important modern Indian artists: \[ \boxed{ \begin{aligned} \text{G.R. Santosh} &\rightarrow \text{Neo-Tantric Art}, \text{K.C.S. Paniker} &\rightarrow \text{Madras School}, \text{Biren De} &\rightarrow \text{Luminous Abstract Art}, \text{Ram Kumar} &\rightarrow \text{Abstract Landscapes}. \end{aligned} } \] Mnemonic: “Santosh = Tantra = Purusha + Prakriti.”

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept: G.R. Santosh (1929--1997) was a renowned Indian modern artist associated with the Neo-Tantric Art Movement. His paintings were deeply inspired by Kashmir Shaivism and Tantric philosophy, particularly the concepts of Purusha (cosmic consciousness or male principle) and Prakriti (creative energy or female principle). His geometric compositions, vibrant colours, and symbolic forms represent the spiritual union of masculine and feminine energies, expressing cosmic harmony and universal consciousness.

Step 1: Recall the artist associated with Neo-Tantric symbolism. Among the given artists, G.R. Santosh is best known for depicting the cosmic union of male and female energies through Tantric symbolism. \[ \boxed{\text{G.R. Santosh} \Longrightarrow \text{Neo-Tantric Art} \Longrightarrow \textit{Purusha + Prakriti}} \]

Step 2: Examine the given options.
• K.C.S. Paniker -- Founder of the Madras School; known for symbolic and metaphysical paintings.
• G.R. Santosh -- Neo-Tantric painter inspired by Kashmir Shaivism and the union of Purusha and Prakriti.
• Biren De -- Abstract painter associated with luminous spiritual imagery.
• Ram Kumar -- Modernist painter known for abstract landscapes and urban themes. Hence, \[ \boxed{\text{(B) G.R. Santosh}} \]