A watercolour window into old Madras

The article explores the artistic legacy of R. Krishna Rao, a painter who designed the Tamil Nadu state emblem and captured the essence of old Madras through his watercolors. His son shares memories of his father's work, specifically a painting of the Central railway station that reflects the city's historical character.
Why it matters
It preserves the cultural history of Chennai (Madras) and highlights the role of art in documenting urban evolution.
After a month of celebrating Madras through its landmarks, neighbourhoods, changing building and the coastline that has watched the city through it all, there is still something to be said about the Madras that lives on through the memories of its people. A renowned artist who designed the Tamil Nadu state emblem in 1949, R. Krishna Rao, a native of Madurai, shared a close bond with Madras.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in