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Introduction

Zodiac sign
Gemini
Age
65
Place of Birth
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
Place of Death
Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Spouse(s)
Ramabai
Children
Daughter sumitra, son
State Country of Birth
Tamil Nadu, India
State Country of Death
Tamil Nadu, India

Exhibitions

  1. 1945

    1. Exhibition of paintings at Mumbai, Kolkata, New Delhi and London
  2. 1953

    1. Chennai, India
  3. 1955

    1. National Exhibition of art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
  4. 1961

    1. 6th Biennale, Sao Paulo, Brazil
  5. 1962

    1. Participation in the Indian Art exhibition in Mexico
  6. 1964

    1. Tokyo International Exhibition, Tokyo, Japan
  7. 1965

    1. The Festival Hall Exhibition, London, UK
    2. Tokyo International Exhibition, Tokyo, Japan
  8. 1966

    1. Tokyo International Exhibition, Tokyo, Japan
  9. 1967

    1. National Exhibition of Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
    2. Venice Biennale, Venice, Italy
  10. 1968

    1. 1st Triennale of World Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
    2. National Exhibition of art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
  11. 1971

    1. 2nd Triennale of World Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
  12. 1972

    1. Kunika-Chemould Art Centre, New Delhi, India
  13. 1974

    1. Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, India
  14. 1975

    1. 3rd Triennale of World Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
  15. 1978

    1. Fourth International Triennale, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
  16. 1982

    1. Contemporary Indian Art, Festival of India, Royal Academy of Art, London, UK
    2. Modern Indian Painting - From the Collection of the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, India
  17. 1983

    1. Tantra, Stuttgart, West Germany
  18. 1985

  19. 1986

    1. Search for Roots, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, India
  20. 1987

    1. 15 Jan 1987 to 21 Jan 1987

  21. 1998

    1. Symbolism and Geometry in Indian Art, National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi, India
  22. 2003

    1. Manifestations, Organised by Delhi Art Gallery, World Trade Center, Mumbai and Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
  23. 2004

    1. Manifestations II, Organised by Delhi Art Gallery, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai and Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India
    2. Drawings and Sketches, Early 1940s mid 1950s, Art World, Chennai, India

      01 Nov 2004 to 23 Nov 2004

  24. 2005

    1. 02 Dec 2005 to 09 Dec 2005

  25. 2008

    1. Modern India, Organised by Institut Valencià d'Art Modern (IVAM) and Casa Asia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture at Valencia, Spain
  26. 2009

    1. 04 Apr 2009 to 10 Apr 2009

  27. 2011

    1. Manifestations V, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India

      18 Apr 2011 to 18 Jun 2011

  28. 2013

    1. Manifestations X: 75 artists, 20th Century Indian Art, Delhi Art Gallery,  New Delhi, India

      30 Dec 2013 to 08 Mar 2014

  29. 2019

    1. The Seventies Show, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, India

      02 Dec 2019 to 25 Jan 2020

    2. 21 Jul 2019 to 12 Oct 2019

  30. 2020

    1. The Fifties Show,Works of Indian Modernism, Delhi Art Gallery,(DAG) New Delhi, India

      01 Jan 2020 to 31 Oct 2020

  31. 2021

    1. Home is a Place, Interiority in Indian Art, Delhi Art Gallery (DAG), New Delhi, India

      12 Apr 2021 to 04 Aug 2021

  32. 2022

    1. Delhi art Gallery, ICONIC - Masterpieces of Indian Modern Art, Mumbai

      20 Mar 2022 to 31 Jul 2022

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Paniker, K.C.S. (Artist). Paniker Retrospective, 1978 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882526
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Paniker, K.C.S. (Artist). Paniker Retrospective, 1978 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882526

Chronicled Highlights 91955 – 2002

K.C.S. Paniker — Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
1955
Public Auction HighPainting
Osian's · Masterpieces and Museum Quality Series: Indian Contemporary ArtMumbai · 02 December 2005
In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Mother and Child (1955), offered in the Masterpieces and Museum Quality Series: Indian Contemporary Art by Osian's, which concluded on 02 December 2005 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹9,20,000 ($19,947.96). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
Paniker, K.C.S. (Artist). Mother and Child, 1955 | Painting
Selling price
INR9,20,000
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 8,00,000 – 10,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 1,909
Medium
Oil on paper
Dimensions
20.8 × 23.2 in (53 × 59 cm)
Lot
43 · Os.Mum/02.12.05
1959
Public Auction HighPainting
Osian's · Historical Series IIINew Delhi · 24 November 2006
In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Portrait (1959), offered in the Historical Series III by Osian's, which concluded on 24 November 2006 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹16,80,000 ($37,441). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
Paniker, K.C.S. (Artist). Portrait, 1959 | Painting
Selling price
INR16,80,000
12% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 12,00,000 – 15,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 4,306
Medium
Oil on canvas pasted on board
Dimensions
22.8 × 17.1 in (58 × 43 cm)
Lot
84 · Os.Del/24.11.06
1961
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Indian Sale: Including Miniatures and Modern and Contemporary PaintingsLondon · 24 May 2007
In 2007, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Love (1961), offered in the Indian Sale: Including Miniatures and Modern and Contemporary Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 24 May 2007 at London, achieving a sale price of ₹27,09,504 ($66,785.9). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
Paniker, K.C.S. (Artist). Love, 1961 | Painting
Selling price
INR27,09,504
273% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 4,83,840 – 7,25,760
Rate per sq in
INR 3,166
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
35.6 × 24 in (91 × 61 cm)
Lot
40 · So.Lon/24.05.07
1964
Public Auction HighPainting
Christie's · South Asian ArtMumbai · 19 December 2013
In 2013, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Word & Symbols - VI (1964), offered in the South Asian Art by Christie's, which concluded on 19 December 2013 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹35,00,000 ($56,108). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
Paniker, K.C.S. (Artist). Word & Symbols - VI, 1964 | Painting
Selling price
INR35,00,000
1067% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 2,00,000 – 3,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 4,642
Medium
Oil on board
Dimensions
15.7 × 47.9 in (40 × 122 cm)
Signature
S/d 'Paniker '64-' l.r.; Further titled 'WORD & SYMBOLS - VI' (verso); Bearing 'The First World's Selected Non-Abstract Paintings Exhibition in Japan - India's Participants' exhibition label (verso)
Lot
46 · Ch.Mum/19.12.13
1964
Public Auction HighPainting
Osian's · Indian Antiquities Modern Contemporary Fine Arts & BooksMumbai · 07 April 2017
In 2017, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Words and Symbols Series (1964), offered in the Indian Antiquities Modern Contemporary Fine Arts & Books by Osian's, which concluded on 07 April 2017 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹1,80,00,000 ($279,547). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
Paniker, K.C.S. (Artist). Words and Symbols Series, 1964 | Painting
Selling price
INR1,80,00,000
Within estimate
Estimate
INR 1,60,00,000 – 2,40,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 6,833
Medium
Oil on canvas pasted on board
Dimensions
66.4 × 39.7 in (169 × 101 cm)
Signature
Signed in English 'Paniker' l.r
Lot
59 · Os.Mum/07.04.17
Provenance
Private Chennai-based Family Collection; previously acquired from eminent arts patron and Founder of the Sarala Art Centre, Soli Daruwalla in 1997
1964
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Modern & Contemporary South Asian ArtNew York · 26 March 2026
In 2026, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (Words and Symbols) (1964), offered in the Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art by Sotheby's, which concluded on 26 March 2026 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹5,44,88,908.8 ($576,000). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
Paniker, K.C.S. (Artist). Untitled (Words and Symbols), 1964 | Painting
Selling price
INR5,44,88,909
284% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 66,21,916 – 1,41,89,820
Rate per sq in
INR 44,788
Medium
Oil on canvas laid on mountboard
Dimensions
30.2 × 40.2 in (77 × 102 cm)
Signature
S/d 'Paniker / '64' lower center
Lot
324 · So.NeY/26.03.26
Provenance
Acquired directly from the artist, Cholamandal, 1969-70 Thence by descent
1968
Public Auction HighPainting
Sotheby's · Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern Indian PaintingsNew York · 24 March 2004
In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Words And Symbols (1968), offered in the Indian and Southeast Asian Art: Including Modern Indian Paintings by Sotheby's, which concluded on 24 March 2004 at New York, achieving a sale price of ₹9,13,104 ($20,400). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
Paniker, K.C.S. (Artist). Words And Symbols, 1968 | Painting
Selling price
INR9,13,104
483% above high estimate
Estimate
INR 1,11,900 – 1,56,660
Rate per sq in
INR 983
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
27 × 34.4 in (69 × 87 cm)
Lot
197 · So.NeY/24.03.04
1978
Retrospective ExhibitionSolo Exhibition Catalogue
K.C.S. Paniker · Paniker RetrospectiveLalit Kala Akademi · 28 October 1978
In 1978, Paniker Retrospective An Exhibition of Drawings, Paintings & Sculpture marked a major milestone in the exhibition history of K.C.S. Paniker, offering a retrospective survey of the artist's artistic production
Paniker, K.C.S. (Artist). Paniker Retrospective, 1978 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882526
2002
Image 1/2
First Auction Appearance | BOOK.AUCPainting
Osian's · Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary PaintingsMumbai · 05 December 2002
On 05 December 2002, made their debut in the Indian public auction market when Untitled was presented as Lot in Masterpieces & Museum Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary Paintings, conducted by Osian's in Mumbai, India. This auction marked the artist's first recorded appearance in the public auction market, establishing the earliest chapter of their auction history.
Paniker, K.C.S. (Artist). Untitled, 1976 | Painting
Selling price
INR4,67,500
Below low estimate
Estimate
INR 5,00,000 – 6,00,000
Rate per sq in
INR 140
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
64 × 52.4 in (163 × 133 cm)
Lot
82 · Os.Mum/05.12.02

Economics of Art

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Research Centre

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