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Murlidhar Ramchandra Achrekar was a distinguished Indian portrait painter, watercolourist, illustrator, set designer, author, and teacher. Born in Bombay in 1907, Achrekar began his training at the privately run Ketkar Art Institute before enrolling at the J J School of Art. He later pursued advanced studies at the Royal College of Art in London, an experience that shaped his technical range and artistic outlook.

Achrekar first gained... Murlidhar Ramchandra Achrekar was a distinguished Indian portrait painter, watercolourist, illustrator, set designer, author, and teacher. Born in Bombay in 1907, Achrekar began his training at the privately run Ketkar Art Institute before enrolling at the J J School of Art. He later pursued advanced studies at the Royal College of Art in London, an experience that shaped his technical range and artistic outlook.

Achrekar first gained prominence in 1929 with his prize-winning watercolour Concentration, noted for its textured, sketch-like quality. While in London, he was commissioned to paint the historic opening session of the Indian Round Table Conference in 1932, and in 1935 was selected to record King George V’s Silver Jubilee celebrations. Parallel to his studio practice, Achrekar made a lasting impact on Indian art education. In 1937 he became deputy director of the J J School of Art. He went on to found the AchrekarArt Academy in 1944 and later served as principal of the Bombay School of Art from 1948 to 1956.

Achrekar’s contribution to Indian cinema was equally significant. For over two decades he designed sets for Raj Kapoor’s RK Studios and was an active member of the Indian Association of Film Set Designers. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Art Direction three times: for Pardesi (1958), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1960), and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1962). In 1952, he was also part of the Indian Film Delegation to the United States.

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