He was born in Savantwadi, then a State in Bombay Presidency. He lost his father when he was only three years old. In 1908 he started the Haldankar’s Fine Art Institute in Bombay. In 1918, with the co-operation of other artist friends, he established the Art Society of India. He remained the President of the Art Society for many years took active interest in its affairs. During his professional career Haldankar had gained the highest reputation. He was commissioned to paint portraits of the late Pandit Madan Malaviya, Jagannath Sunkersett, Sir John Beaumont, Lady and Sir Leslie Wilson and the Raja Saheb of Sawantwadi to mention a few. Haldankar had associated himself with many art activities and had been a member of different important committees and societies. He was the President of the Maharashtra Chitrakar Mondal. He was the member of the Hansa Mehta Committee for Re-organisation of Art Education. His soft manners and firm convictions based on his wide and varied experiences of life have always been a great source of inspiration to all those who had the privilege of working with him in public art-life. Along with his fine arts also loved music. He was a great water colourist.