Badri Narayan was born in 1929 in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

Badri was a self-taught artist.

He had several solo exhibitions in India and overseas:
In 1963 and 1964 he exhibited solo at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. In 1986 he had a solo show at University of North Dakota, USA. In 1991 he had one person show, Bangalore. In 1993, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2012 he exhibited solo in Mumbai. In 2002 and 2008 he had solo shows in Kolkata. Badri had several shows in India and overseas.

He took part in several group exhibitions:
In 1949 he participated in All India Art Exhibition at Hyderabad Art Society, Hyderabad. In 1955 he took part in ‘Indian Art Exhibition’ in Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. In 1957 he participated in a group show in Tokyo. In 1960 he participated in a group show in Essen. In 1961 he took part in 2nd International Biennale, Paris. In 1966-1967 he participated in 5th International Biennale of Prints, Tokyo. In 1962 he participated in a group show in Moscow. In 1963 he took part in group shows at Perth and Geneva and in 1964 he showcased at the National Museum in Prague. In 1965 he took part in a group show, Leipzig. In 1965-1966 he participated in a travelling exhibition to Africa. In 1966 he exhibited in a group show at Newcastle and Mumbai. In 1968, 1971 and 1991 he participated in the 1st, 2nd and 7th International Triennale, New Delhi and also in 1968 he took part at the Art Society of India (Golden Jubilee Exhibition) in Mumbai. In 1971-1972 he participated at ‘Indian Art Exhibition’ in Tokyo, Kyoto, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and San Salvador. In 1972-1973 he exhibited in New Delhi, Warsaw and Paris. In 1979-1980 he showcased in a group show in Landau. In 1987 he exhibited in a group show in Moscow and in 1989 he took part in the Bombay Art Society (Centenary Exhibition) in Mumbai. In 1980 he exhibited in a group exhibition; Freinsheim and in 1982 in Darmstadt. In 1985, 1997, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012 he took part in group shows in Mumbai. In 1988, 1997, 2007 and 2009 he participated in group shows in Bangalore. In 1992 he participated in the Bharat Bhavan Biennale, Bhopal. In 1996, 2002 and 2007, 2008 he exhibited in group shows at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. In 1997 he took part in ‘Image Beyond Image’ at Glenbarra Museum, Japan. In 1998 he showcased in Jehangir Nicholson Collection; National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai and New Delhi. In 1998 he participated in ’50 years of Art’ at National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai. In 2008 he took part in ‘Moderns’ at Amman, Jordan. In 2012 he exhibited in ‘Art for Humanity’ at Coomaraswamy Hall, Mumbai.

Badri has won many awards.
In 1949, 1954, 1960 and 1962 he won Gold Medals at Hyderabad Art Society, Hyderabad. He won the Bombay Art Society awards in the years; 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1970. In 1962, 1963 and 1966 he was awarded at the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society, New Delhi. In 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969 and 1970 he won awards at Andhra Pradesh Lalit Kala Academy, Hyderabad. In 1965 he received the National Award from Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi. In 1987 he received the Padma Shri from the Government of India, New Delhi. In 1990 he was conferred the Gaurav Puraskar from the Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai. In 1984-1986 he received the Senior Fellowship (Outstanding Artist) from the Government of India, New Delhi.

Badri passed away in 2013 in Bangalore.