M.R. Acharekar
Encyclopedia
Murlidhar Ramachandra Acharekar (1907–1979) was an Indian artist, film art director in Hindi cinema, who won Filmfare Best Art Direction Award three times, 1958 for Pardesi, 1960 for Kaagaz Ke Phool
, in 1962 for Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai
.
of the United Kingdom, in 1932,the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of King George V
in 1935, in London where he was sent with special credentials by the then Viceroy of India, Lord Willingdon.
Executed portraits of dignitaries and eminent men and women in India. His book Rupadarsini, An Indian Approach to Human Form, established his reputation as a sound draughtsman and an excellent teacher.
Acharekar remained in the forefront of portrait paintings, especially of the commemorative genre, for more than forty years. He was also an educationist and a successful art director who raised art direction to a new height in the field of cinema. His interest and superb ability in live portraiture is apparent in the ease and rapidity of his renditions of human figures, retaining their character and likeness. It was the perfect academic discipline gained in his early life, the sheet anchor of his artistic credo, which facilitated these easy renderings. It must be noted that he remained alive to change and rejuvenate, evolving gradually without sudden revolutionary mutations. He remained very much his own master with no direct and obvious influences of any "isms".
1928 Diploma in Painting, Govt. of Maharashtra, Bombay.
1932-34 Studied at Royal College of Art
, London.
1937 Solo exhb. Inaugurated by Maharaja of Mandi, New Delhi.
1954, 56, 58, 79 Solo exhibitions., Bombay.
1973, exhibitions of 51 Paintings depicting the first hundred years of the freedom movement (1757–1856), inaugurated by Indira Gandhi
, Birla Bhavan, New Delhi.
2004, Manifestations II, organised by Delhi Art Gallery, Jehangir Art Gallery
, Mumbai and Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi.
1930 Silver Medal, Bombay Art Society
, Bombay.
1931 Gold Medal, Bombay Art Society
, Bombay.
1955 Awarded Tamra Patra, Govt. of India.
1957, 59, 61 Filmfare Award, for Art Direction, Bombay.
1957 Awarded Film Journalists Association Trophy, Bombay.
1968 Awarded Padmashri, Govt of India.
1937-39 Deputy Director, Sir J. J. School of Art
, Bombay.
1948-56 Principal, Academy of Art, Bombay.
: Love Sublime (1978) [Production Designer]
Mera Naam Joker
(1970) [Art Director]
Bombai Raat Ke Bahon Mein (1968) [Art Director] [Set Decorator]
Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968) [Set Designer] (as M.R. Acharekar)
Suraj
(1966) [Art Director]
Amrapali
(1966) [Art Director]
Rajkumar
(1964) [Art Director]
Sangam
(1964/I) [Production Designer]
Dil Hi To Hai (1963) [Art Director]
Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai
(1960) [Art Director] [Production Controller]
Anari
(1959) [Art Director]
Kaagaz Ke Phool
(1959) [Art Director]
Ab Dilli Dur Nahin
(1957) [Art Director] [Production Controller]
Pardesi
(1957) [Art Director]
Jagte Raho
(1956) [Art Director] (as M.R. Acharekar) [Production Controller] (as M.R. Acharekar)
Shree 420 (1955) [Art Director] (as M.R. Acharekar) [Production Controller] (as M.R. Acharekar)
Boot Polish (1954) [Art Director]
Aan
(1952) [Art Director] (as M.R. Acharekar)
Ashiana (1952) [Art Director]
Bewafa (1952) [Art Director]
Awaara
(1951) [Art Director]
Naujawan (1951) [Art Director]
Shahjahan (1946) [Production Designer]
Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
, in 1962 for Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai
Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai
Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai is a 1960 Hindi film directed by Radhu Karmakar...
.
Bio
Murlidhar Ramachandra Acharekar (1907–1979) was born in the coastal village of Achra, Maharashtra in konkani family. 1923-28 M.R Acharekar Explored new areas of expression like photography and lithography. Started a lithopress, Bombay. Noted for his brilliant career with an early success at various exhibitions at home and abroad.Established himself easily as one of the most promising painters of his time.Executed important commissions like painting the historical event of the inauguration of the Round Table Conference by his late Majesty King George VGeorge V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
of the United Kingdom, in 1932,the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
in 1935, in London where he was sent with special credentials by the then Viceroy of India, Lord Willingdon.
Executed portraits of dignitaries and eminent men and women in India. His book Rupadarsini, An Indian Approach to Human Form, established his reputation as a sound draughtsman and an excellent teacher.
Acharekar remained in the forefront of portrait paintings, especially of the commemorative genre, for more than forty years. He was also an educationist and a successful art director who raised art direction to a new height in the field of cinema. His interest and superb ability in live portraiture is apparent in the ease and rapidity of his renditions of human figures, retaining their character and likeness. It was the perfect academic discipline gained in his early life, the sheet anchor of his artistic credo, which facilitated these easy renderings. It must be noted that he remained alive to change and rejuvenate, evolving gradually without sudden revolutionary mutations. He remained very much his own master with no direct and obvious influences of any "isms".
- 1947 President, Art Society of India, Bombay.
- 1952 he traveled to the United States, as a member of the Indian Film Delegation, at the invitation of Motion Picture Association of America and State Dept, USA.
- 1954 Published Sky Scrapers and Flying Gandharvas.
- 1956 The Apostle of Peace, pencil sketches of Jawaharlal NehruJawaharlal NehruJawaharlal Nehru , often referred to with the epithet of Panditji, was an Indian statesman who became the first Prime Minister of independent India and became noted for his “neutralist” policies in foreign affairs. He was also one of the principal leaders of India’s independence movement in the...
was published.He worked with Raj KapoorRaj KapoorKnown as Ranbir Raj Kapoor Rāj Kapūr, 14 December 1924 – 2 June 1988), also known as The Show-Man, was an Indian film actor, producer and director of Hindi cinema. He was the winner of nine Filmfare Awards, while his films Awaara and Boot Polish were nominated for the Palme d'Or at the...
and Guru DuttGuru DuttVasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone , popularly known as Guru Dutt, was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He is often credited with ushering in the golden era of Hindi cinema...
as Art Director. - 1960 Member, Selection and Judging Committee, National Exhibition, Lalit Kala AkademiLalit Kala AkademiThe Lalit Kala Akademi or National Academy of Art is India's National Academy of Arts. It was an autonomous organization, established at New Delhi in 1954 by Government of India to promote and propagate understanding of Indian art, both within and outside the country...
, New Delhi. - 1968 President, Cine Art Directors Association of India, Bombay.
- 1972-73 President, Bombay Art SocietyBombay Art SocietyThe Bombay Art Society is an arts organisation based in Mumbai that was founded in 1888. Current President of the Society is Prafulla Dahanukar who was elected on 15th May 2010....
, Bombay. - 1973 He was commissioned by the Selection Committee, National Art Gallery, Delhi.
Education
1917-23 Studied at Ketkar Institute of Art, Bombay.1928 Diploma in Painting, Govt. of Maharashtra, Bombay.
1932-34 Studied at Royal College of Art
Royal College of Art
The Royal College of Art is an art school located in London, United Kingdom. It is the world’s only wholly postgraduate university of art and design, offering the degrees of Master of Arts , Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy...
, London.
Exhibitions
1932, Exhibited painting titled Round Table Conference, Imperial Institute, London.1937 Solo exhb. Inaugurated by Maharaja of Mandi, New Delhi.
1954, 56, 58, 79 Solo exhibitions., Bombay.
1973, exhibitions of 51 Paintings depicting the first hundred years of the freedom movement (1757–1856), inaugurated by Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
, Birla Bhavan, New Delhi.
2004, Manifestations II, organised by Delhi Art Gallery, Jehangir Art Gallery
Jehangir Art Gallery
The Jehangir Art Gallery is Mumbai ’s most famous art gallery and a tourist attraction. It was founded by Sir Cowasji Jehangir at the urging of K. K. Hebbar and Homi Bhabha. It was built in 1952...
, Mumbai and Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi.
Awards
1929 Maharaja of Bhavnagar's Prize, Bombay.1930 Silver Medal, Bombay Art Society
Bombay Art Society
The Bombay Art Society is an arts organisation based in Mumbai that was founded in 1888. Current President of the Society is Prafulla Dahanukar who was elected on 15th May 2010....
, Bombay.
1931 Gold Medal, Bombay Art Society
Bombay Art Society
The Bombay Art Society is an arts organisation based in Mumbai that was founded in 1888. Current President of the Society is Prafulla Dahanukar who was elected on 15th May 2010....
, Bombay.
1955 Awarded Tamra Patra, Govt. of India.
1957, 59, 61 Filmfare Award, for Art Direction, Bombay.
1957 Awarded Film Journalists Association Trophy, Bombay.
1968 Awarded Padmashri, Govt of India.
Teaching experience
1923 Appointed as Junior Teacher, Ketkar Institute of Art, Bombay.1937-39 Deputy Director, Sir J. J. School of Art
Sir J. J. School of Art
The Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy School of Art , is the oldest art institution in Mumbai, and is affiliated with the University of Mumbai...
, Bombay.
1948-56 Principal, Academy of Art, Bombay.
Art Direction/Production Design
Satyam Shivam SundaramSatyam Shivam Sundaram
Satyam Shivam Sundaram is an Indian film. Satyam means Truth, Shivam can refer to either Lord Shiva or Eternal and Sundaram means Beautiful.-Plot:...
: Love Sublime (1978) [Production Designer]
Mera Naam Joker
Mera Naam Joker
Mera Naam Joker is a 1970 Hindi film directed by Raj Kapoor. The screenplay was written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. This film was the debut of Rishi Kapoor. Mera Naam Joker is a film about a clown who must make his audience laugh at the cost of his own sorrows. The film is reportedly inspired by Raj...
(1970) [Art Director]
Bombai Raat Ke Bahon Mein (1968) [Art Director] [Set Decorator]
Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968) [Set Designer] (as M.R. Acharekar)
Suraj
Suraj
Suraj is a 1966 swashbuckler Ruritanian romance Hindi film produced by S. Krishnamurthy and directed by T. Prakash Rao. The film stars Vyjayanthimala and Rajendra Kumar in the lead with Ajit, Mumtaz, Johnny Walker, Johnny Walker, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, Lalita Pawar and Neetu Singh forms an...
(1966) [Art Director]
Amrapali
Amrapali (film)
Amrapali is a 1966 historical Hindi film, directed by Lekh Tandon, starring Vyjayanthimala and Sunil Dutt as leads.It was based on the life of Amrapali , the nagarvadhu of Vaishali, the capital of the Licchavi republic in ancient India around 500 BC and Ajatashatru, the king of the Magadha empire,...
(1966) [Art Director]
Rajkumar
Rajkumar
Rajkumar , born as Singanalluru Puttaswamayya Muthuraju was a popular actor and singer in the Kannada film industry...
(1964) [Art Director]
Sangam
Sangam (film)
Sangam is a 1964 Hindi movie produced by R. K. Films and directed by Raj Kapoor. Music for the film was composed by Shankar-Jaikishan, with song lyrics by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. Sangam was producer Raj Kapoor's first color film, distinguished by its technicolor and epic length...
(1964/I) [Production Designer]
Dil Hi To Hai (1963) [Art Director]
Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai
Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai
Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai is a 1960 Hindi film directed by Radhu Karmakar...
(1960) [Art Director] [Production Controller]
Anari
Anari
Anari is a 1959 Bollywood film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Raj Kapoor, Nutan, Motilal and Lalita Pawar. The music was by Shankar Jaikishan and the lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri as well as Shailendra...
(1959) [Art Director]
Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool
Kaagaz Ke Phool, , is a 1959 Hindi film produced and directed by Guru Dutt, who also played the lead role in the film .The film was a box office disaster of its time but was later resurrected as a world cinema cult classic in the 1980s. The film's music was composed by S. D...
(1959) [Art Director]
Ab Dilli Dur Nahin
Ab Dilli Dur Nahin
Ab Dilli Dur Nahin is a 1957 Bollywood film directed by Amar Kumar and written by Rajinder Singh Bedi and Muhafiz Hyder. The film was produced by Raj Kapoor and starred Yakub, Anwar Hussain, Motilal, Nand Kishore and Jagdeep.-Plot:...
(1957) [Art Director] [Production Controller]
Pardesi
Pardesi
Pardesi is a 1970 Bollywood drama film directed by Kundan Kumar. The film stars Mumtaz.-Cast:*Mumtaz... Myna*Biswajeet ... Pardesi / Ajay*Lata Bose ... Rekha *Brahmachari ... Devdas*Sulochana Chatterjee...
(1957) [Art Director]
Jagte Raho
Jagte Raho
Jagte Raho is a 1956 film directed by Amit Maitra and Sombhu Mitra, produced by and starring Raj Kapoor. The film centers on the trials of a poor villager who comes to a city in search of a better life. However, the naive man soon becomes trapped in a web of middle-class greed and corruption...
(1956) [Art Director] (as M.R. Acharekar) [Production Controller] (as M.R. Acharekar)
Shree 420 (1955) [Art Director] (as M.R. Acharekar) [Production Controller] (as M.R. Acharekar)
Boot Polish (1954) [Art Director]
Aan
Aan
Aan , also known as The Savage Princess in the U.S.A, is a 1952 technicolor Hindi musical produced and directed by the legendary Mehboob Khan, it is said to be India's first technicolour film. It stars Dilip Kumar, Premnath, Nimmi and marked the debut of Nadira who replaced the original choice...
(1952) [Art Director] (as M.R. Acharekar)
Ashiana (1952) [Art Director]
Bewafa (1952) [Art Director]
Awaara
Awaara
Awaara is a 1951 Hindi film directed and produced by Raj Kapoor who also plays the leading role. His real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor stars as his on-screen father Judge Raghunath. Kapoor's youngest real-life brother Shashi Kapoor plays the younger version of his character...
(1951) [Art Director]
Naujawan (1951) [Art Director]
Shahjahan (1946) [Production Designer]