Pune: Ravi Paranjape, artist & author, passes away at 87

PUNE: Illustrious painter-author-illustrator Ravi Paranjape, 87, passed away on Saturday in a city hospital after a brief illness.
The artists’ community in Pune went into mourning calling it a “massive loss” for the fraternity that saw him as an inspiration for the old and the new generation of artists in the city and beyond.
Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar expressed his condolences on Twitter, recognising Paranjape’s fame globally as an artist and illustrator, adding that he will be remembered for his illustrations, paintings as well as his writings.
Paranjape was perhaps best known for being an illustrator and commercial artist that led him to work with major brands and advertising agencies, as well as with architects and designers in rendering various structures and spaces. He also made his name as a painter, hosting many successful exhibitions, and later establishing his own foundation and art gallery to host his own exhibitions and those of other artists.
He was also a prolific author, who wrote about the art of illustrations and renderings. He wrote a series on the history of art and the impact on it by Western renaissance painters, which was compiled into the book Shikhare Ranga Reshanchi. He also authored critically acclaimed books on several global political and social causes, and an autobiography, titled Brush Mileage.
“He was a great inspiration to us juniors in the field of arts. I learnt a lot from his realistic illustrations, and he went onto work with a number of advertising agencies, including a very famous series of advertisements for a large engineering firm. He also inaugurated some of my exhibitions. His passing is indeed a big loss for all of us,” said city-based painter Bhaskar Sagar.
Others also noted his encouragement of young and upcoming artists and his attention to detail.
“I used to visit his studio often as a child. I took an instant liking to his work. I learnt almost everything from him. His paintings were a visual statement, especially in composition and colour balance,” said Milind Mulik, a painter based in Pune.