Dr. S. Chanthiran is a renowned artist born on 21st November 1957, Seremban, Malaysia. He pursued artistic education in Fine Art at Varnam College of Art, Chennai, India. During his time in India, he gained skills from Dr.Alphonso Arul Doss (principal of the Madras Government College of Arts and Crafts), and underwent an unofficial apprenticeship with the divine artist Mr.Rajagopal. In his late teens, he moved to India, picked up sculpturing and assisted in the construction of a number of temples. He obtained a doctorate in contemporary arts from Camden University, USA in 2005 and he was a scholarship recipient of the MCEF research study on Ornaments in Silappathikaram an ancient Tamil epic in India.

Chanthiran was appointed as a resident artist and consultant for Public Bank, Kuala Lumpur from 1987 to 1995 at Ovier Art Designers. He serves as a Board

Member for National Visual Art Gallery, Malaysia. He also has produced realistic portraits of many prominent figures in Malaysia, including politcal leaders and royalty. True artist as he is, he had been in the art scene since 1978. Since then, his exploration of subjects for his works varies from myth to realistic human portraits.

Dr. S. Chanthiran draws his inspiration from deep rooted, the ancient Indian architecture and culture, where characters symbols, motifs and moods are often resurrected from the yore and depicted in art form with vibrating colours and at times in deep dark hues and crafting with artistic brush stroke detailing.

The roots of his interest can also be traced to be his background whereby the paternal side to his family was involved in temple building, drama and dance. He endows most of his female characters with ornaments that becomes sensual elements merely to emphasize the richness of human life and its tradition.

His contemporary realistic approach draws on some painterly tradition, adding a rustic and yet a modern feel while also harnessing a sacredness in whole.