CHENNAI: Legendary artist Achuthan Kudallur, aged 77, died in Chennai early on Monday following health complications.

Kudallur was born in Kerala but after earning a diploma in civil engineering, he moved to Chennai in 1964.  He started out by creating figurative art, and many of his illustrations have appeared in publications and on book covers. He was also a voracious reader and writer, who had a few short pieces appear in Malayalam periodicals.

Kudallur played a crucial role in the Madras Art Movement's abstractionism in the 1970s. He was regarded as one of the top abstract painters in the nation and had participated in numerous exhibitions abroad in addition to doing numerous one-man shows across the nation over the years.

In addition, Geeta Hudson's 32-minute documentary "Red Symphony: The Art of Achuthan Kudallur" featured him. His artistic development, from his early figurative works to his abstract paintings, was followed in the documentary.

He had a close relationship with P. Gopinath, president of Cholamandal Artists Village, who said that  Kudallur's contribution to modern art will live on forever. He had developed his own unique language. His abstract art was clear evidence that he loved colour.

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