The Government College of Fine Arts (initially known as the Madras School of Art) in Chennai is the oldest art institution in India. The institution was established in 1850 by surgeon Alexander Hunter as a private art school. In 1852, after being taken over by the government, it was renamed as the Government School of Industrial Arts.[1] Later, it was renamed as the Government School of Arts and Crafts and the Government College of Arts and Crafts (1962), before finally being renamed as present.[2]
The institute offers courses leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in painting, sculpture, visual communication, textile design, graphic arts and ceramics. It offers postgraduate programmes in painting, visual communication, textile designs and ceramics. In 2009, it started offering a course leading to the Master's degree in Fine Arts in sculpture.
During British rule in India, the crown found that Madras had many talented and artistic minds. As the British had also established a settlement in and around Madras, Georgetown was chosen to establish an institute that would cater to the artistic expectations of the royals in London. At first traditional artists were employed to produce furniture, metalwork, and curios, and their work was sent to the royal palaces of the Queen. The institute established itself as the first school of art in India, predating the University of Madras. The school was located at Popham’s Broadway. In 1852, it was shifted to its present premises, a four-acre campus on Poonamallee High Road.[1]
A number of celebrated painters, sculptors and craftsmen of India are either products of this college or influenced by it. Like the Bengal School, the Madras School flourishes on 'creating' new styles, arguments and trends.
The most prominent artists who came from this institute include: Santhanaraj (painting and sculpture), Munusamy (painting), K. M. Adimoolam (drawing and painting), R.B.Bhaskaran(drawing,painting and print making),Debi Prasad Roy Chowdhury (sculpture), K.C.S. Paniker, Kanniappan (sculpture), R. Krishna Rao (painting), S.Dhanapal (sculpture), Kanayi Kunjiraman (sculpture), Palaniappan (printing), T. Athiveerapandian (painting), Michaelirudayaraj (painting).
In 1928, Debi Prasad Roy Chowdhury joined as its vice-principal and in 1929, he became its first Indian principal. He was the principal till 1957. He was succeeded by K.C.S. Paniker. Later, a number of noted artists, which includes R. Krishna Rao worked as principal from 1968–1971, S. Dhanapal, K.L. Munuswamy, A.P. Santhanaraj, C.J. Anthony Doss also served as its principal.
In 1966, former principal K.C.S. Paniker, along with his students and some artists associated with the college, founded the Cholamandal Artists' Village, near Chennai, which is still considered, '10 biggest art moments' in India.[3]
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