Born in Ahmedabad in 1920, Almelkar studied at the Sir J.J. School of Art. He held the post of Principal of Bombay's Nutan Kala Mandir. Almelkar's work was exhibited in several solo and group shows in India and internationally. He won the National award for excellence in art, and was invited as a state guest to Malaysia to deliver several lectures. His selected collections are with National Gallery of Modern Art and Lalit Kala Akademi.