KG Subramanyan. Photo Courtesy: Kochi Biennale Foundation/FacebookVadodara: Renowned artist K.G. Subramanyan was laid to rest at the city crematorium here on Thursday, with artists from around the country turning up to bid farewell to their illustrious peer, a trailblazer of modern Indian art.
The 92-year-old Kerala-born artist, credited with being one of the pioneers of modern art in India, breathed his last on Wednesday in the city.
Artists from Delhi, Shantiniketan, Ahmedabad and other centres, CPM leader and former Kerala minister M A Baby, Vadodara civic commissioner Vinod Rao were among those who paid tributes to Subramanyan.
In a career spanning over six decades, the multi-faceted artist, who lived and worked here, had enriched the contemporary Indian art as painter, sculptor, muralist and print maker besides being author of children's books.
He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2012, Padma Bhushan in 2006 and Padma Shri in 1975.
"Subramanyan's daughter Umaben performed the last rites," Jayanti Rabadia of Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, told PTI.
Artists including Shiv Kumar (Shantiniketan), Jatin Das (Delhi), Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh, Jyoti Bhatt, Ramesh Pandya, Nagjibhai Patel, Jain Sujay, dean of Faculty of Fine Arts, M S University of Baroda and others attended the funeral.
A large number of people paid floral tribute to the late artist at his residence at Sama locality.
Sheikh said: "He (Subramanyan) was an extraordinary teacher. He visited several countries and gave lectures."
Painter Rekha Rodwitiya remembered him as an icon "who was not concerned about his art but about shaping the contemporary art history".
Sculptor Nagji Patel said Subramanyan was inspiration to many young artists and his contribution to the contemporary art will be remembered forever.
A 'besana' (condolence meeting) for the late artist will be held on Saturday at the faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda varsity.
(With agency inputs)
