M.S RAWAT
1957 - 2018
Art that Speaks to the Soul - M.S Rawat's
Maddi, aka M.S. Rawat, was a visionary artist known for his deep exploration of figurative and abstract forms. His signature body of work a compelling series of mural reliefs centered around apes and monkeys, inspired by a formative vision unfolds as a powerful narrative of evolution, expression, and emotional depth.
Each piece is intricately hand-carved on MDF wood, a process that can span months depending on its scale and complexity. What makes this collection truly distinctive is the technique he pioneered: after carving, the surface is carefully burnt using a gas torch, drawing out details by accentuating the high points and creating a dramatic interplay of light, shadow, and texture.
From working on multiple murals simultaneously to experimenting with offbeat materials such as thermocol, plaster of Paris (POP), resins, burn wood, and mixed-media surfaces, Rawat remained a relentlessly curious and evolving artist. He consistently pushed beyond conventional mediums using thermocol for rapid volumetric exploration, POP to build tactile relief and structural depth, and layering materials to study how texture, burn, and form interact. This spirit of experimentation became foundational to his later mastery in wood.
From the initial sketch to the final burnished finish, every mural tells not only the story within the artwork, but also the story of its own making. A labor-intensive, almost meditative process that blends raw craftsmanship with deep conceptual insight.
This body of work is not merely art. It is a legacy carved in wood, and scorched into time.
M.S Rawat's Journey: A Visual Story
M. S Rawat (Madan Singh Rawat)
Born: 26 February 1957 — Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India
Trained in fine arts in New Delhi, he completed his Higher Secondary education (CBSE) with First Class, followed by a Diploma in Arts Sarada Ukil School of Art,(First Class) in 1979.
Academic & Teaching Experience
With over 36 years of teaching experience, Rawat contributed extensively to art education across institutions:
- Visiting Lecturer, Delhi College of Art (Metal Casting)
- Assistant Professor, Delhi College of Art
- Sculpture Faculty, Triveni Kala Sangam (approx. 6 years)
- Visiting Faculty, Amity Fine Arts (3 years)
- Faculty across institutions including Manavsthali, Greenfields, and Bal Sahyog (30 years)
- Associated with Academy of Fine Arts & Literature (Arpana Art Gallery)
- Conducted social art initiatives at Tihar Jail in collaboration with Kiran Bedi (approx. 4 years)
He also served as a Jury Member for the Bal Shree Award at the Bal Bhavan Society for 8 years.
Awards & Honours
- National Award, Lalit Kala Akademi (2006–07)
- Sanskriti Award (1984–85), presented by R. Venkataraman
- All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society (AIFACS) Award, New Delhi (1989)
- Sahitya Kala Parishad Awards (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986)
- Rajiv Gandhi Youth Festival Award (1987)
- HRD Government of India Junior Scholarship (1980–82)
- Garhi Grant, New Delhi (1986–87)
- B. C. Sanyal Award, Delhi College of Art
- Amity Fine Arts Award (1st Prize)
- Odyssey of the Mind – Gold Medal, Poland (2016)
- Abdul Kalam Festival, Jamia Millia Islamia (2001–02)
Camps, Exhibitions & Collections
- Participated in 40+ national and 15+ international art camps
- International exposure across: Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Nigeria
- Works included in the collection of the National Gallery of Modern Art (New Delhi) and Sahitya Kala Parishad, among others
Mediums & Practice
Rawat worked across a wide range of mediums:
- Wood (notably burned relief work)
- Metal
- Stone
- Clay & plaster
- Cement
- Oil & watercolour
- Illustration and design
Professional References
- Amity (Ms. Anita Chauhan)
- Bal Bhavan Society
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- Sahitya Kala Parishad
Location Garhi Art Studio, Lalit Kala Akademi
M.S Rawat & Himmat Shah
This photograph captures more than a moment, it holds the beginnings of a journey. At Garhi Studios, M. S. Rawat and Himmat Shah worked through years of discipline and struggle, laying the foundation for a body of work that would endure far beyond the studio walls.
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