Thu Mar 06 10:20:24 UTC 2025: ## Chennai Artist Rm. Palaniappan’s Retrospective Showcases a Half-Century of Artistic Exploration
**CHENNAI, March 6, 2025** – A major retrospective of the work of renowned Modernist artist Rm. Palaniappan opened today at the DakshinaChitra Museum in Chennai. The exhibition, titled “Mapping the Invisible,” spans nearly five decades of Palaniappan’s artistic journey, showcasing over 130 artworks.
Palaniappan’s fascination with flight, inspired by a childhood viewing of *The Fall of Berlin*, is a recurring theme. His early works focused on realism, particularly the architecture of Mamallapuram, but later evolved into abstract explorations of line, movement, and space, often presented in paired series reflecting his philosophical approach of exploring dichotomies. His signature style incorporates geometric precision and utilizes mixed media, sometimes resembling technical drawings. Notable series include “Flying Man” (1982) and “New Berlin – On Process,” inspired by a 1999 visit to Berlin. Significant world events, such as the World Trade Center attacks, also fueled his creative output.
The exhibition deliberately avoids strict chronological order, prioritizing the exploration of infinite space and the inner self as central themes in Palaniappan’s work. The retrospective runs until March 31st at the Varija and Kadambari Art Galleries within the museum.
First Piper 