Keshav Malik

Keshav Malik (5 November 1924 – 11 June 2014) was an Indian poet, art and literary critic, arts scholar, and curator. He remained art critic for the Hindustan Times (1960–1972) and The Times of India (1975–2000). He published eighteen volumes of poetry and edited six anthologies of English translations of Indian poetry.

He was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, for his contribution to literature. In 2004, the Lalit Kala Akademi, India's National Academy of Art, made him a Fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi for lifetime contribution, which is its highest award.

Early life and background Malik was born in the town of Miani, now in the Punjab, Pakistan, but at the time it was part of British India. His younger sister is arts and dance scholar Kapila Vatsyayan and brother Bhashi Malik. He is also related to the brothers Balraj Sahni and Bhisham Sahni.

He grew up in Srinagar, Kashmir,

Career From 1960 to 1972, Malik was art critic for The Hindustan Times. In 1973–74, Malik was curator for "The Human Condition," an exhibition of contemporary Indian art that travelled to Bulgaria, Poland, Belgium, and Yugoslavia. From 1975 to 2000, Malik was art critic for The Times of India.

Malik was awarded the Padma Shri for literature in 1991, given by the Government of India.

Keshav Malik also wrote "Attars of Existence" based on the abstract works of Sudip Roy.

He has also been the subject of two documentaries, Keshav Malik – The Truth of Art and Keshav Malik – A Look Back.

Malik died at age 89 at his home in New Delhi on 11 June 2014. He was survived by his wife Usha.