K. S. Kulkarni (1916–1994) was a pioneering Indian modernist whose work bridged classical Indian aesthetics with contemporary abstraction. Born in Belgaum, Karnataka, he studied at the Sir J. J. School of Art, Bombay, and later became a research scholar under the Sir Ratan Tata Trust. In 1948, he founded the Triveni Kala Sangam in New Delhi, serving as Director of its Art Department until 1968. Kulkarni’s art evolved through global influences, including his travels to Latin America, where he engaged with Mayan and Incan cultures.

His style fused the grace of Ajanta murals and Chola bronzes with Cubist and folk elements, resulting in a unique visual language that celebrated both rural life and urban modernity. A master of line and color, Kulkarni’s works are housed in major institutions like the National Gallery of Modern Art and Delhi Art Gallery. He received multiple National Awards from the Lalit Kala Akademi and was honored as a National Emeritus Professor by the Government of India.