Born in Belgaum in 1916, Kulkarni studied at the J.J.School of Art in Bombay. During the course of a fecund career as an artist he had had several one man shows, both in India and abroad. First shows being with Kumar Gallery, New Delhi (1955, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1965). He had participated in international shows in Tokyo, Paris, New York,Venice, Sao Paulo and London. A founder member of the Art Faculty at Triveni Kala Sangam in Delhi, Kulkarni had taught as visiting Professor at Skidmore College in New York. He had been a Vice-Chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi, Chairman of the U.P. Lalit Kala Akademi, and was the Department of Culture's Emeritus Professor.