GHULAM RASOOL SANTOSH (1929-1997) "TANTRA" SIGNED AT VERSO, ACRYLIC ON CANVAS

Size: 47.5 x 36.5 inches

Footnotes: G.R. Santosh, born in 1929 in the picturesque Kashmir valley, weathered the
tribulations of life that momentarily forced him to abandon his artistic pursuits after his
father's demise. Embracing a kaleidoscope of odd jobs, from silk weaving to signboard
painting, Santosh gradually gravitated back to the realm of painting. His reconnection with
the art world materialized through his involvement in the Progressive Arts Association in
Kashmir, spearheaded by Sayed Haider Raza, a pivotal figure in mobilizing local artists.In his
formative years, Santosh's artistic vision was profoundly shaped by the geometric intricacies
and mysticism inherent in the Kashmir valley's landscapes. This indelible connection with his
native terrain endowed him with a nuanced visual acuity, manifesting in his semi-abstract
treatment of artistic themes. Santosh's contemplative practices culminated in a profound
exploration of Cubism, a stylistic shift that resonated in his renowned Cubist
landscapes.Deeply enamored by the works of Cézanne and the Cubist movement, especially
Pablo Picasso, Santosh seamlessly blended the emotional ties to his homeland with the
formalistic aspects of Cubism. His early landscapes, initiated in 1954 during his two-year
sojourn at M.S. University Baroda, showcased an amalgamation of Cubist elements and
abstraction, deconstructing the visible world into elemental forms and faceted
brushstrokes.As Santosh progressed into the 1950s, his artistic evolution became more
nuanced, embracing calligraphic scripts nuanced with strokes and colours reminiscent of a


painted prayer. His palette, marked by dark and heavy pigments, exhibited a deeply personal
and contemplative approach. Santosh's compositions gradually shifted towards autumnal
colour harmonies, embodying a more meditative and melancholic aesthetic realm, mirroring
his inner contemplations.