Murlidhar Ramachandra Acharekar

Murlidhar Ramachandra Acharekar (1907–1979) was an Indian artist and film art director in Hindi cinema who won the Filmfare Best Art Direction Award three times: for Pardesi, for Kaagaz Ke Phool (1960), and for Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1962).

Early life M.R. Acharekar was born in Hadi Village, near Achra in Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra.

Career 1923–28 M.R Acharekar explored new areas of expression like photography and lithography, and also started a lithopress in Bombay. He became noted for his early success at various exhibitions at home and abroad, and would eventually execute important commissions, painting such historical events as the inauguration of the Round Table Conference by King George V in 1932 and the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of King George V in 1935 in London. He was sent to the latter with special credentials by the then-Viceroy of India, Lord Willingdon.

Acharekar Continued to draw portraits of dignitaries and eminent men and women in India for over forty years. His book, Rupadarsini, An Indian Approach to Human Form addressed the controversial issue of figure drawing.

Career highlights

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, London.

Exhibitions

Awards

Teaching experience 1923 Appointed as Junior Teacher, Ketkar Institute of Art, Bombay. 1937–39 Deputy Director, Sir J. J. School of Art, Bombay. 1948–56 Principal, Academy of Art, Bombay.

Art Direction/Production Design