Born in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Madhavrao Krishnarao Parandekar (known as M.K. Parandekar) initially trained under his father, a Sanskrit Pandit and painter and continued with formal study at the Sir J.J. School of Art, Bombay from 1900 until 1905. 

Abalall Rahiman, the court painter of Kolhapur State, was a strong influence on Parandekar's work and he gained considerable expertise in drawing portraits and figures. However, it was landscapes and architectural subjects which he focussed on, and with considerable success.