R. Krishnan | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1973 Vellaricombai,Nilgiris district,Tamil Nadu, India |
| Died | 25 March 2025 (aged 52) Mettupalayam,Coimbatore district, Tamil Nadu |
| Known for | Kurumba painting |
| Movement | Tribal art |
| Spouse | Susheela |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2026, posthumous) |
R. Krishnan (c. 1973 – 25 March 2025), also known asKitna, was an Indian artist from theAlu Kurumba tribal community in theNilgiris district ofTamil Nadu. He is noted for his work in preserving Kurumba painting traditions by adapting motifs from rock art to canvas.[1] In 2026, theGovernment of India posthumously awarded him thePadma Shri, the country's fourth-highest civilian award, for his contributions to Art.[2][3]
Krishnan was born in the tribal settlement of Vellaricombai nearKotagiri. He belonged to the Alu Kurumba tribe, an indigenous community traditionally associated with honey gathering and forest medicine. He began painting at the age of six, learning the technique from his grandfather, Mathan.[4]
He worked as a daily wage laborer while continuing his artistic practice.[5] In his later years, he resided inMettupalayam. Krishnan died on 25 March 2025 following an illness. He was survived by his wife, Susheela, and four children.[6]
Krishnan's work focused on the documentation of Kurumba culture and rituals. His style was derived from the rock art found at archaeological sites such as Vellaricombai and Eluthu Paarai.[7]
He employed traditional methods, utilizing natural pigments sourced from the forest rather than synthetic paints. The palette typically included:
Common subjects in his paintings included tribal deities, honey harvesting, and local fauna such as theGreat hornbill.