JMS Mani   Born in 1949 in Bangaluru, Karnataka, JM Subramani, is commonly known as JMS Mani. He began learning art in 1974 at Kuvempu Kala Sanstha Ken School of Art, under the tutelage of the school’s founder, RM Hadapad, with whom he had a profound lifelong connect which influenced his whole outlook on art.   His most famous series is the Badami Series, inspired by his guru’s hometown, Badami. His obsession with art allowed his painterly hand to experiment with various media that include sculpture, printmaking, watercolour, etching and mixed media, besides his acrylic and oil paintings.   He has exhibited at various National and International venues and Institutions since 1979 and his works are part of many important private and public collections in India and abroad. He has held solo exhibitions in India, Singapore, London, New York, Hong Kong, and Switzerland in 1990, 92, 93, 94 and 95 respectively. He has participated in many group shows, such as the SAARC Exhibition at the Chitra Kala Parishath, Bangalore and the Bharat Bhavan International Biennale of Prints in 1989.   He is a recipient of the Karnataka State Award in 2006 and twice recipient of the Lalit Kala Academi Award in 1981 and 1983. He was honoured by Ken School Old Students and Well Wishers Association in 2006.   Besides being an artist, he taught for many years at his alma mater, Ken School of Art, and served as its Principal until his retirement in 2007.