Rekha Rao (born 1947, Mumbai) is a trailblazing contemporary Indian artist renowned for her profoundly introspective and symbolically rich abstract paintings. Guided from a young age by her father, the acclaimed artist K.K. Hebbar, she developed an expressive, emotionally driven visual language that emphasizes meaning over literal depiction.

Working primarily in oil and acrylic, Rao creates richly layered compositions that draw the viewer into textured fields of color and form. Her palette shifts fluidly—from softly muted earth tones to bold, vibrant hues—depending on the emotional resonance of each piece. She intentionally eschews realism, instead inviting viewers to engage with symbolic shapes—suggestive human and animal forms, geometric motifs, and abstract gestures—that invite personal reflection.

Over her long and illustrious career, Rekha Rao has exhibited extensively—her first solo show took place in Mumbai in 1969, followed by exhibitions in New Delhi, Los Angeles, Germany, Australia, and elsewhere. Her artistic achievements have been recognized with several prestigious honors, including the Critics’ Award (1971), the Lalit Kala Akademi Award (1977), and the Maharashtra State Award (1978). She also received consecutive honours from the Hyderabad Art Society in 1976 and 1977. Her paintings are included in notable collections, such as the National Gallery of Modern Art and Lalit Kala Akademi in New Delhi, and the Singapore National Museum. She has also showcased her work on prominent international stages, such as the IV Triennale India in 1978 and the Asian Biennale in Dhaka in 1986, representing India on the global art scene. Now based in Mumbai, Rekha Rao continues to be deeply immersed in her artistic journey, creating works that effortlessly fuse emotional depth, philosophical insight, and poetic abstraction—solidifying her place as a leading voice in contemporary Indian art significant figure in Indian modern and contemporary art.