(b.1931)
Born in Badpura in North Gujarat in 1931, Shanti Dave is a painter and sculptor known as one of India's important artists of the 20th century. He studied Fine Arts from the University of Baroda for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and later joined as a member of the faculty in 1950. He started his artistic career painting signboards and banners before being commissioned on notable assignments such as the large murals which adorned the walls of art institution and public spaces all over the world including Air India's offices in London, Frankfurt, Delhi, and Sydney as well as in JFK airport in New York, which he was known for. He has held several solo exhibitions both in India and abroad since 1957. He also participated in several group exhibitions including the South East Asia Art Exhibition in the Philippines (1957), the International Graphic Exhibition in Switzerland (1960), the Commonwealth Exhibition in London (1962), and similar events in Japan, France, East Europe, and the Middle East. He is a recipient of the Padma Shri Award (1985) and the National Art Academy Award on three consecutive years, 1956, 1957, and 1958. He was also a member of the Executive Board of the Lalit Kala Academy and the Sahitya Kala Parishad. He lives and works in New Delhi.