Who is the artist Narayanan Akkitham?
Narayanan Akkitham is an Indian painter born in 1939 in Kerala (India), who has lived and worked in Paris since 1967. Trained in Chennai under K.C.S. Paniker and later at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Jean Bertholle, he developed a unique geometric abstraction inspired by Vedic cosmologies and tantric diagrams. He is a three-time laureate of India's highest official art honour, the Lalit Kala Akademi Award (1963, 1965, 1966).
What is the difference between Narayanan Akkitham and the poet Akkitham?
They are two distinct individuals. Narayanan Akkitham (born 1939) is a modern geometric abstraction painter living in Paris. Akkitham Achyuthan Nambudiri (1926–2024) was a celebrated Malayalam poet and writer in India, recipient of the 2019 Jnanpith Award. Although they share the family name "Akkitham", their careers and creative fields are completely distinct.
What are the dates and location of the exhibition?
The exhibition runs from October 8 to November 7, 2026 at Galerie AB – Agnès Aittouares, located at 5 rue Jacques Callot, 75006 Paris (Saint-Germain-des-Prés district). The opening reception takes place on Thursday October 8, 2026 from 6:00 pm.
Is there an admission fee for the exhibition?
No, admission to the exhibition is free and open to all visitors from Tuesday to Saturday, between 10:30 am and 7:00 pm.
How many artworks are presented in the catalogue?
The catalogue gathers 82 major oil on canvas paintings created between 1967 and 2025, illustrating the stylistic evolution of Narayanan Akkitham, from his earliest figurative and symbolic compositions in 1967–1968 to his large-scale contemporary geometric works.
Which public collections hold artworks by Akkitham?
Narayanan Akkitham's works are held in prestigious collections across France (Bibliothèque nationale de France, French Ministry of Culture, Paris Prefecture, Hyacinthe-Rigaud Museum in Perpignan), India (National Museum New Delhi, Government Museum Chennai, Ahmedabad and Bangalore Museums), as well as in Germany (Wilhelmshaven Museum), Japan (Glenbarra Art Museum), Poland (Asia and Pacific Museum in Warsaw), and Belgium (Sacred Art Museum of Durbuy).
How can collectors enquire about acquiring an artwork?
Collectors and art enthusiasts can directly contact Galerie AB through the website's contact form, by email at galerieab@gmail.com, or by telephone at +33 (0)1 45 23 41 16 to receive price lists and provenance records.
Who is organising the exhibition and what is Galerie AB's expertise?
The exhibition is organised by Galerie AB, founded in 1989 by Agnès Aittouares, a FNEPSA-accredited expert and member of CEDEA and SNA. The gallery specialises in Modern Art from 1890 to the present day and regularly participates in major international art fairs (Fine Arts La Biennale, Salon du Dessin, Art Paris, BRAFA).
