Manu Parekh, an old modernist in Indian art, made a place for himself with a visual style. That style mixes expressionism, symbolism along with spirituality. He worked for sixty years. Parekh changed from making theater sets and abstract art – he then painted clear pictures of cities. He painted Benaras often. His art stays steady, shows deep feeling in addition to uses changing colors. People praised his art. His art also sells well in India. Collectors and buyers see Manu Parekh’s art; they value it for culture plus for money.
A Legacy Rooted in Emotion and Symbolism
Manu Parekh was born in 1939. He studied at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai. He worked with the Weavers’ Service Centre but also Handicrafts Board. This work showed him Indian crafts and theatre. His early instruction gave him a base to look at abstract plus figurative art forms. A change happened when he stayed in Benaras in the 1980s.
The city’s intense spiritual and visual energy altered how he made art. His Benaras series shows temples, rituals, Ganga ghats along with spiritual meaning – this series stays a defining part of his work.
Emotion in the work of Manu Parekh links to Indian culture but also spiritual ideas. That strong emotion and recognizable Indian images help his art stay important in a changing market. His works have an organic feel; this appeals to long time collectors as well as new buyers who want art with deep meanings.
Market Performance: A Steady Climb
The Indian art market grew much in the past twenty years. Artists like M.F. F.N. Souza along with S.H. Raza sold the most expensive art. But Manu Parekh’s art steadily gained value, especially since the early 2000s. His prices began to climb after 2005 because Indian modern and contemporary art got global notice and support from institutions. In 2016, his painting “Banaras Landscape” sold for over ₹1.6 crore at Sotheby’s. That sale was one of his highest auction prices. Since then, many of his paintings regularly sell for ₹30 – 90 lakh.
The size, material in addition to subject of the work affect the price. Parekh’s works on paper plus smaller pieces also attract active bidding. This shows that many people collect his art. Large paintings go to important collectors. But buyers with less money see his art as a good way to start collecting Indian modernist art. The art market slowly lets people buy art online. Non-resident Indians put money into heritage art. So Parekh’s art has gained value without big ups and downs. His art represents a safe investment and holds cultural meaning.
Emerging Trends Among Collectors
Emerging trends among collectors of Manu Parekh’s work reflect a dynamic blend of cultural reverence and market foresight. One significant trend is the growing demand for art that fuses spiritual themes with modern expression. Collectors today, especially younger and culturally aware buyers, are drawn to works that reflect Indian roots while embracing contemporary sensibilities. Parekh’s frequent use of motifs like Shakti, Tantra, and the city of Benaras align seamlessly with this preference, making his art particularly appealing in today’s context.
His Benaras series has achieved status as a valuable asset in the Indian art market. People often paint these works on large canvases; they show deep feeling and spirit. Now people consider them rare plus highly wanted. Many collectors see them as family objects. They pass them down through generations.
Interest in Parekh’s smaller works and mixed media tests has grown. His gouache but also watercolor pieces use bright colors and express form. New collectors as well as galleries like them – they want to get different art. Their lower cost makes them a good way to start buying art.
Art institutions have helped his market be more visible. The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) held a show of his work. This show displayed the depth and growth of Parekh’s art over time – it gave scholarly plus historical worth to his art. For collectors, such notice from large art institutions suggests lasting importance and steady market value.
Companies but also Indians living abroad buy Parekh’s art. His Indian style but also general feeling make his paintings good for office spaces with cultural themes. They also work for personal collections in other countries. For Indians living abroad, Parekh shows a real link to Indian history. He is also a good art investment. His art combines identity and asset value.
Investing in Manu Parekh: What to Consider
To invest in Manu Parekh’s art, consider several points for value and true origin. The art’s true origin plus history matter. People want his art more and more. Buy pieces from good galleries or known auction houses. Papers but also a record of shows add worth to the art over time. The time of the art’s making also affects its worth. Art from the 1980s and 1990s, especially pictures of Benaras or emotional faces, sells for more money. But his newer art still gets collected because the artist keeps a steady look and tells the same stories. Size as well as material also change worth. Big oil paintings usually bring the most money at sales and in private deals. But Parekh’s acrylic plus watercolor pieces have also gone up in worth over time. His mixed media and trial works stay less known in the market. This gives a chance to buyers who think their worth will go up. The gallery matters. Galleries like Art Alive, Akar Prakar along with Tao Art Gallery show but also promote Parekh’s art. Buying from these known places ensures the art is real and has papers – it also gives a way to see chosen art as well as new pieces not found easily elsewhere.
Future Outlook
The Indian art market changes from quick cycles of excitement to purchases based on study, records along with lasting value. In this setting, Manu Parekh’s work, which holds meaning, spirit in addition to steady development, will last. More museums and collectors from other countries look at Indian modern artists. Parekh’s standing will grow. Art websites go online more, and NFT tests begin in India – these changes push interest in artists whose work has a clear look. Parekh fits this group.
Conclusion
Manu Parekh began as an abstract painter and later moved to spiritual landscape paintings. This makes him a significant modern artist in India. His art looks good plus also performs well as an investment – it offers both cultural meaning and financial value.
When someone buys a Manu Parekh piece, they do more than just buy a painting; they get a part of India’s current spiritual but also artistic development – this applies to experienced art investors, new collectors along with people who support culture. Parekh’s market presence will likely grow in the future, because of his consistent market performance, his recognition from institutions, and the increasing demand from collectors.
