G. R. Santosh (1929-1997) was born in Srinagar and is regarded as a key figure in Indian modernism associated with Neo-Tantric abstraction. Largely self-taught, he initially worked as a signboard painter before turning to a more formal artistic practice.

A decisive shift in his work followed his engagement with Kashmiri Shaivism and Tantric philosophy, which informed his distinctive visual language. His paintings are characterised by precise geometry, symmetrical compositions, and a vibrant yet controlled use of colour, often structured around symbolic forms such as triangles, circles, and mandala-like arrangements.

Santosh’s work represents a synthesis of spiritual inquiry and modern abstraction, positioning him as an important voice in the development of Neo-Tantric art in India.