APS Easter Raj

A.P.S. Easter Raj, the son of the acclaimed artist A.P. Santhanaraj, is a prominent Chennai-based artist renowned for his expressionist paintings, particularly those featuring women. Born in 1963, Easter Raj has developed a distinctive style that melds traditional southern imagery with modern elements, drawing heavily from his father’s illustrious legacy.

Easter Raj secured his Diploma in Fine Arts & Painting (First Class) in 1984 and furthered his education with fresco training at Banasthali Vidyapith Raj in 1985. His accolades include the High Proficiency in Fine Art Paintings Award (1980), the Gurukul Lutheva Theological College & Research Institute Award (1980), and the Fine Art Award (1981). He also received the South Central Zone Cultural Centre Award in Nagpur (1987), the Kalakruthi Award in Chennai (1992), and the Tamil Nadu Ovia Nunkalai Kuzhu Award (1985). His achievements extend to the All India Indian Christian Art Association Award in Mumbai.

Easter Raj’s work has been exhibited at several notable venues, including Chota Sheraton (1990), and he has participated in numerous group shows such as those organized by the Tamil Nadu Nunkalai Kuzhu (1984, 1993), Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre (1993), Oxford University, London (1993), and the All India Painting Exhibition at Chitrakala Parishad, Bangalore (1990).

Trained in Chennai, Easter Raj’s style reflects a unique blend of figurative and abstract compositions, echoing the artistic influence of his father while also establishing his own distinctive voice in the art world. Nature frequently appears in his work, complementing his expressionist approach and contributing to the rich tapestry of his artistic expression.