Art: Anjolie Ela Menon

"Anjolie Ela Menon (born 1940) is one of India's leading contemporary female artists. Her preferred medium is oil on masonite, though she has also worked in other media, including glass and water colour. She is a well known muralist. She was awarded the Padma shree in 2000. She lives and works in New Delhi."

She studied at the prestigious Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art in Mumbai at the age of 16. (whoa). It's clear she was heavily influenced by M F Husain and Amrita Shergil. She first came across Husain's work at J.J. At 18, she had a solo exhibition with 53 paintings and was awarded a scholarship from the French Government to attend the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris.

Menon is the real deal. One of the most celebrated contemporary Indian artists.

I had the chance to see this one in person while in Mumbai.