Chameli Ramachandran

Chameli Ramachandran is a contemporary artist. Ramachandran's deep fascination with nature is a central theme that permeates all her paintings.

Biography of Chameli Ramachandran

Chameli Ramachandran, also known as Tan Yuan Chameli, was born in 1940 in Santiniketan, West Bengal. She attended a Bengali medium school and later joined Kala Bhavana to study art under the guidance of esteemed masters like Benode Behari Mukherjee and Ramkinkar Baij. She earned a diploma in fine arts and crafts in 1960, a Bachelor's degree in Indology in 1964, and a Master's degree in ancient Indian history and culture in 1966, all from Visva Bharti University in Santiniketan.

In 1967, Chameli got married to a renowned Indian artist and fellow student from Kala Bhavana A. Ramachandran. While she dedicated herself to caring for her family, Chameli also contributed to her husband's projects, particularly in writing and illustrating children's books, which were published in India, Japan, Korea, and England. However, her own artistic pursuits were put on hold during this time.

In the early 1990s, when her children went abroad for higher studies, Chameli rekindled her passion for art and began painting again, adopting a unique and distinctive personal style. Her upbringing was influenced by her father, Professor Tan Yun-Shan, a Chinese scholar and close associate of Rabindranath Tagore. Through this inspiration, Chameli synthesized the essence of both Indian and Chinese cultures in her artwork.

In 1993, Chameli held her first solo exhibition in Delhi, followed by several other shows in cities like Baroda and London. Her contribution to the art world led to the publication of a special book titled "A Confluence of Distilled Essences: The Art of Chameli Ramachandran," written and designed by Ranesh Ray and released by Vadehra Art Gallery.

Currently, the artist resides in Delhi and spends the winter months in North America.

Chameli Ramachandran's art style

Ramachandran's artistic creations are a beautiful reflection of her profound admiration for nature—an enduring fascination that has always captivated her. Drawing from her deep connections with China and India, Chameli's paintings skillfully blend the abundant landscapes of Bengal with the contemplative essence of ancient Chinese philosophy.

In her sensitive compositions, Ramachandran skillfully captures the delicate and harmonious interplay of natural elements, such as the gentle caress of the breeze and the play of light among leaves and flowers. The serene rustling of trees and the ethereal glow of the sun's rays dancing on the tender, curved surfaces of flower petals come alive through her expert use of metallic pigments combined with ink.