Colours without words
For Rupak Rajendra Munje, colour arrived before language. At 29, this abstract artist has built a quiet but steady presence through canvases filled with fluid strokes, layered pigments and the distinctive drip patterns that have come to define his work. Non-verbal and on the autism spectrum, Rupak communicates largely through art — a practice that began as therapy and gradually evolved into purpose.
Born in Hyderabad and now living at Ranjith Road in Kotturpuram, Rupak was diagnosed with autism and intellectual disability at the age of two-and-a-half. His mother, Ranjana Rajendra Munje, recalls the uncertainty that followed. “There was very little awareness about autism then. We were completely clueless and had to slowly learn about therapies, special education and structured support to help him,” she says.
Art entered his life during an autism awareness programme at Forum Art Gallery in Adyar, where he was introduced to free painting. What began as sensory engagement soon developed into a sustained artistic practice, with abstract compositions, layered textures and drip-based forms becoming central to his work. His father, Rajendra Munje, a fine arts graduate and former advertising professional, stepped away from commercial work to mentor him closely. “We give him a blank canvas and allow him to express freely. He creates first, and we try to understand the art later. It is a do–think process,” he says, adding that he often spends hours interpreting and titling Rupak’s abstract works so viewers can connect with them.
