Born in 1943 in Ahmedabad, Amit Ambalal was a businessman until he sold his family business in 1977 to become a full-time painter in 1979, pursuing his childhood dream. His mother, trained under Chhaganlal Jadav, was his earliest artistic inspiration. Despite familial pressure to follow a formal education, he earned degrees in BA, B.Com., and LL.B. before joining and later leading his father’s business.

Even as a managing director, Ambalal painted on Sundays, refining his craft under Jadav. His work merges contemporary and historical themes, particularly Rajasthan’s Nathdwara devotional paintings and satirical portrayals of human drama. He keenly observes quirks in human behaviour, translating them into ironic yet vibrant compositions.

Ambalal’s preferred medium is watercolour, valued for its luminosity and spontaneity. Since his first solo show in 1980, he has exhibited widely in India and abroad. Despite over 40 exhibitions, he remains a student, always seeking to learn and evolve.