Born in July 1929, in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, the self-taught artist Badri Narayan has been painting for over 45 years. During this time, he has worked as an art teacher and an artist, but has always remained a deeply introspective individual. This self-reflection and autobiographical perspective is the most constant theme in Narayan's work.
Badri Narayan has explored several mediums: namely, painting, mosaic and ceramic tiles and print-making in wood cuts and engravings. He has been exhibiting since 1949, and has held several solo exhibitions along with invitations to participate in several group exhibitions. Badri Narayan has also been invited as a participant to biennales and triennials
Badri is also an accomplished writer, his articles on folklore, mythology, short stories and tales for children have appeared in print. He has both written and illustrated several books. He has conducted art workshops and narrated stories to live audiences of children in television studios, at children camps and also in institutions for the juvenile delinquent and the handicapped young. Badri is a firm believer that in spite of the onslaught of the electronic media the storyteller will be active again, and will continue to play an important role of generating warmth and understanding in human relationships. He has written an extensive paper on the Art of the Child and the Modern Painter.
“Narration comes to me naturally, I have been fond of telling stories since my childhood.”
Narayan’s first solo exhibition of paintings was held at the Hyderabad Art Society in 1954. Since then, he has held well over fifty solo shows besides being featured in several group shows. He has also participated in the Bharat Bhavan Biennale, Bhopal, in 1992; the 7th Indian Triennale, New Delhi, in 1991’ the 1st and 2nd International Triennales, New Delhi, in 1968 and 1971 respectively; the 5th International Biennale of Prints, Tokyo, in 1966-67; and the 2nd International Biennale, Paris, in 1961.
He has written an extensive paper on the Art of the Child and the Modern Painter and is a keen student of Indian philosophy and Sanskrit and has been awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
