R B Bhaskaran was born in Chennai in 1942. He studied advanced paintings at the Government College of Arts & Crafts in Madras from 1960-66. He also took part in training for the Fresco technique at Bhanasthali Vidyapith College, Rajasthan in 1964. He practiced Intaglio Printmaking, Lithography, and Ceramics from abroad in the year of 1968. Bhaskaran's work has a strong sense of color and proper linearity. His works have a tribal characteristic due to his in-depth studies in frescoes. There is a certain directness in his elements. He also took part in the Madras Art Movement of the 1960s where he rebelled against the concept of Nativism propagated by K.C.S. Panniker, the idea that one must consciously evolve an Indian style by introducing Indian motifs and themes into one's work. He won fellowships from the Department of Culture, and Ministry of Education amongst other awards. He has held important offices like Honorary Secretary, Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai in 1987; Principal, College of Art, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu in 1995; Principal, Government College of Art, Chennai, between 1997 and 2001; and Apex Committee member for the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. He served as International Juror for the Florence Biennale, Italy for a few years.