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Tucked away along the East Coast Road in Injambakkam, Cholamandal Artists’ Village is a cornerstone of Indian contemporary art. Founded in 1966 by eminent artist K.C.S. Paniker, this artist-led commune was instrumental in propelling the Madras Art Movement, which merged traditional Indian themes with global modernist styles.
Cholamandal is unique—it’s India’s first self-sustained artists’ village. Paniker and his fellow artists aimed to escape academic constraints and create a space where creative freedom could thrive. They sold batiks, handicrafts, and paintings to support their work, successfully merging artistic passion with economic independence.
The village is home to the Cholamandal Centre for Contemporary Art, which houses both permanent and rotating exhibitions. Its museum and open-air sculpture garden celebrate South Indian modernism, and several resident artists continue to live and work here.
A walk through Cholamandal is a journey through decades of creativity and resilience. It remains a sanctuary for artists and a vital chapter in the narrative of modern Indian art.
