K.H. Ara

Krishnaji Howlaji Ara was an Indian painter and is seen as the first contemporary Indian painter to meticulously use the female nude as a subject. He was a part of the Progressive Artist Group in Bombay and was a founder of the Artist Centre in Mumbai. Opinions about Ara's works remain divided with his critics accusing him of lacking perfection and not referenced from life.

Ara hosted his first solo show at the Chetana Restaurant in Bombay in 1942 which was a runaway success.

From 1948 to 1955, Ara held several solo and group shows in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Baroda and Calcutta and later had solo exhibitions across Eastern Europe, Japan, Germany and Russia. In 1963 he exhibited his "Black Nude" series in Mumbai and was part of the inaugural show at the Pundole Art Gallery. The Kumar Gallery, New Delhi acquired his works between 1955 and 1960.

Ara began his career doing landscapes and paintings on socio-historical themes but he is best known for his still life and nude paintings. Ara was the first contemporary Indian painter to focus on the female nude as a subject while staying within the limits of naturalism. Several of his works deal with still life and human figure studies.  Ara’s nudes absorbed in their own world busy doing various activities. They are mostly brooding, lying down comfortably, dark skinned and never posed. That’s why they are far from vulgar.

Over time, Ara exhibited less and devoted himself to the Artists’ Centre. Hence, moving away from the public eye, unlike his fellow artists. As an artist coming from nothing, he was involved at such a level of helping other struggling artists that he used his personal funds for them. This led him to a difficult financial situation in his later years. Ara’s habit of giving away his works generously did not help his situation either.