The Bangalore based artist M.V. Lakshmanan did not follow the craft of his forefathers, but has mastered a whole new one in Bronze-casting. His grandfather was a blacksmith, his father a goldsmith, but Lakshmanan developed a passion for sculpting in his late teens. From the age of 21, he honed his skills by joining the R.D & T.D.C, Bangalore where he learnt to sculpt in several styles. He continued to work in their Bronze production centre as a skilled craftsman and became a master craftsman at the age of 35. He now owns his own studio of fine arts in Bangalore. He lives with his wife, two sons and a daughter.

Both  his sons Latish and Lije work with him and he allows them the freedom to do contemporary work in various arts. Master craftsman in Bronze-casting, Lakshmanan was awarded the National Award in 1980 and has participated in the Festival of India in 1982 at London, Cardiff, Bradford, Sheffield and Glasgow. He has conducted training in the art of Bronze-casting to American students at Bangalore and also conducted workshops at Hyderabad. His aim is to train young talented students to keep the art of Bronze-casting alive.