The Calligraphic Essence in the Paintings of K.C.S Paniker’s Words and Symbols Series

In india, diversity in culture and languages has rich history in the art of calligraphy; its reflections can be seen in various art practices in india. Kcs paniker is an important artist in 20th centaury indian art especially in south indian art scene who created a new visual aesthetics by using language in his paintings. He is a pioneer in madras art movement that influence largely in south indian art world in post colonial period. The words and symbols series is his most well known painting started in 1963 which is considering a significant shift in his art practice in that he developed with local, indigenous motifs and geometrical symbols, astrological elements, calligraphic effects, tantric diagrams and through bringing regional aesthetics into new way of abstraction. This research paper conceptually analyzes the calligraphic essence in the series of words and symbol paintings by kcs paniker.