Born in 1956, Akhilesh studied art in Indore.

The fact that he received his training in art in Indore is suggestive – a clue to his work for those unfamiliar with his name as a painter. Also, more importantly, is the role of the artist Swaminathan in Akhilesh’s art development. Indore is in Madhya Pradesh, a state rich in tribal art traditions, this is very apparent in both Akhilesh and Swaminathan’s work, the linear abstractions strongly reflect traditional art forms. Akhilesh’s canvasses resonate with energy, with forms and patterns resembling neural pathways, or the lines of an electric flash. His work is essentially about the juxtapositioning of disparate aspects: tradition and present; absence and presence, emptiness and completeness. His manipulation of colour, tone, use of an almost rhythmic textural arrangement bring to his paintings a quiet sensuousness.