Chicago painter S.V. Rama Rao, who inspired Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and has won critical acclaim in the US, is seen here as a bridge between the art of the East and the West. 

In December, Kalam, while addressing the joint session of Indian parliament, made an unusual departure from tradition, referring to his meeting with Rao.

"He has created a newer set of Western paintings with the Indian touch of colour," Kalam said.

"Everyone who has seen them has been astonished. His experience demonstrates the determination of Indian minds to excel in whatever they do, and wherever they are."

Kalam was referring to a meeting with Rao, 68, which had originally been scheduled for five minutes.

"But he cancelled his other appointments and invited me for a walk in the Mughal Gardens at Rashtrapati Bhavan (the presidential palace)," recalled Rao.

"He ended up spending 45 minutes with me."

For the modest, almost self-effacing Rao, Kalam's tribute is just one in a long list of accolades. In the 60s, as an aspiring young painter in England, Rao was noticed by the cognoscenti when his paintings were exhibited along with those of his idol - Picasso.

Critics applauded his technique and innovation.

"Instead of canvasses, Rao uses synthetic boards and coats them with plastic emulsion. He has dispensed with brushes. Instead, he uses pieces of silk and cotton. The results are striking," wrote one British critic.

"The patterns on his boards doubtless are abstract, derived, as he said, from the ever changing images of smokes and clouds. Yet, their vivid pastel colours, diffused at the edges of strokes, soft and pleasing to the eye, are distinctly Indian."

Another critic called Rao "a bridge between the art of the East and the West. He offers us the traditional poetry of India translated into the abstract art of the 20th century".

Since his first appearance on the international art scene as a 24-year- old, the list of public collections where his works are found has grown.

These include the Museum of Modern Art, New York, Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts, the British Council, London, Asia House, New York, and the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.

"I decided to compete with the greatest in abstract art - Picasso. Even if I came second (to him), it would be an honour."

Rao sees a similarity between Rajasthani paintings and the art of Picasso. "Both draw a full eye, for instance, even in a side profile."

Although Rao is well known in art circles in the West, he remains relatively unknown in India. "Indians prefer traditional paintings," he said. "Abstract art has not fully caught on."

The Indian government awarded him a Padma Shri in 2001. Galleries in major Indian cities have begun to display his works.

Rao said he paints to provoke and challenge the viewer. "I paint to enlighten, not to entertain."

He has also turned to writing poetry in English and Telugu. A collection of his poems has been published by the Sahitya Akademi in India.

"Art for me is the medium to enjoy the subtlety and the beauty in this world. I have many ideas to convey and I will do it either through the brush or the pen."

--Indo-Asian News Service