100 years of krishen khanna

When I First Met Krishen Khanna in Early 2001, The Clean-Shaven Gentleman in a Sharp WaistCoat Hardly Looked Like an artist. I was used to most in the communication outfitted in kurta-jholas And, in the case of Khanna’s Contemporary Mf Husain, Walking Barefoot, with His Beard and Unruly White Hair in Toused Glory. In contrast, khanna was cut from a different stock.

He Started off as a banker at grindlays bank, but was always attracted to art. He would Attend the Progressive Artists’ exhibitions and meetings in the late 1950s and early 60s. Finally, in 1961, he quit his job to pursue art full-time. Stories are still told about how, on the last day, when he steepped out of the bank, he found his friends vs gaitonde, Husain, and Bal Chhabda, Waiting Outside to Celebrate

Krishen khanna

Krishen khanna show at vadehra art gallery | Photo Credit: Gulshan Sachdeva

Stationed in Mumbai Till 2010, Khanna Moved to Delhi-Gurugram to Live With His Son. Over the year, in the lovely farmhouse – with his wife Renu, 98, as His Constant Companion – His Studio Filled Artworks and Memorabilia from the Period that is the GOLDEN Sen as the GOLDEN Year Progressive Artist’s Group. “It was a wonderful time to be an artist, and frankly I could not see myself ding anything else,” Recalls the last surviving member of the group – which compared iconic names such Souza, shouza, shouza, Raza, Husain, Kh Ara, S. Bakre, Akbar Padamsee, and Tyb Mehta. And Khanna, Who Turns 100 on July 5, Continues to Add to this collection, sketching and drawing almost every day, even finishing a large painting themed Around Derend Derend Derend Derend Derend.

An untitled bronze and patina sculpture by krishen khanna

“For Nearly Half a century, krishen khanna has been in the forefront of modern Indian art, as an artist, intervenor, and man of imagination. – An EPIC Imagination which has, in a way, painted a moving chronicle of the human condition of our times, Troubled and scattered as them.Ashok vajpeyiHindi Poet, Critic and Art Lover

Poet Ashok Vajpeyi | Photo Credit: RV MORTHY

Support for the marginalized

The larger self-taught artist, who went on to win the Rockefeller Fellowship in 1962 and Travelled Abroad to be an artist-insidence at the american University in Well Knoun For His sizeable body of work on the India-Pakistan Partition. “As I live in lahore and study at the government college, before I went on to study at imperial service college in engine in engine, Pakistan was a part of my early life,” Says khanna. His Family Moved to Shimla during Partition, and the Socio-POLITICAL CHAOS he Saw in His Youth Later Found Expression in his canvases. “Talking of partition is not out of place, even in today’s milieu.

Krishen khanna’s painting News of Gandhiji’s Death

Khanna Moved From Abstracts to Human Forms Because, As He Shared with London’s Grosvenor Gallery, He Thought “That The Person or The Individual Is Being Negleted – The Person in A Person in A Person in A Person in a Person is influenced by the conditions Around ”. His support for the marginalized shines through Strongly in his work depicting Pavement Fruit-Sellers, Migrant Labourers, and, of Course, bandwallas,

“I have alloys help deep admiration for krishen khanna’s artistic vision and his immense contribution to modern indian art. His bandwallas are iconic – there’s harryl and cinematic aouti Way Captures, Music, and the Social Fabric of India. Powerful in their emotional resonance and Historical sensitivity.Shalini passiCollector, Philanthropist and Reality tv Star

Shalini Passi, Art Collector | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

HIS Bandwalla Series is one of his most well-known, capturing the reality of Delhi’s music makers. Their red uniforms and gold epalettes depicted in lush colors contrast sharply with their impassive expressions, giving viewers insight into their precarious lives. “The Knma has some of the most seminal works by the artist in its collection. His recurrent characters – truck drivers, bandwallas Performing or resting during break, people at dhabasLabourers on the streets – are reflective of an Empathetic modernism and expressive Figuration, “Says Roobina Karode, Director and Chief Curator at Kiran Nadar Museum of Art. His Approach Won Him The Dadma Bhushan in 1999.

Untitled (Bandwalla With Drum)

“Krishen khanna is a very sensitive artist. He looks deeply to choose his narration, like he did in the mahabharat series where he focused on the pain of the mother in abhimanyu. Something Touching in his faceless bandwallas. Who is a perfect example of how passion can keep you going. IF you live for your passion then life become so meaningful – all of us can take this important page out of his life. “Sharan ApparaoFounder of Apparao Galleries, who has collected works of khanna’s from the 60s to recent times

Sharan Apparao | Photo Credit: R. Ravindran

A life well lived

To celebrate his center, the raza foundation – Along with Vadehra Art Gallery, Gallery Espace, Art Alive Gallery, Progressive Art Gallery, And Galleerie Nvya Nvya – is organising a tribute on july 4 at the India International Center in New Delhi. It will feature a two-his colloquium on Khanna’s life and art, a screening of the film The human condition (on Khanna’s life and art practice) by French Director Laurent Bregeat, and a dramaatic reading of a few pieces of correspondence between Khanna and His Friends.

Krishen khanna’s The feeding of crows (2008, Acrylic on Canvas)

“Krishen khanna is undoubtedly the renaissance man amongst us,” Shares karode. “About to Strike a century is the rarest of life, and what a life-from a banker to being one of the Leading Artists in India Post-Independence, to a Storyteler Para Excellence. A Painter, Writer, and Oorator has touched the lives of so many of us. “

Kalpana Shah, Owner-Director of Tao Art Gallery in Mumbai, is one such person. A friend and associate of Khanna’s, She recently hand a significant solo show of his to mark 99 years of the artist’s creativity. “I have known krishen both professionally and personally for the last 25 years, and I have always found Versatiility, featuring sculptures, tapestries, sketches and paintings from Six Decades of His Practice. One of the Bandwallas is currently on display at the gallery.

Krishen khanna with kalpana shah at the group show, ImprintsAt Tao Art Gallery

A Bandwallas tapestry

“Krishen khanna holds a unique and significant place in the history of Indian art. His association with the programs is well known, but what is inspiring is also Engaged with Artists, Educators and the Community at Large Over the Years. Recurring Motif – They reflect his Deep Empathy and Connection to EveryDay Life in India. Community of South Asia. “Roshni vadehraFounder, Vadehra Art Gallery

Roshni Vadehra | Photo Credit: Gulshan Sachdeva

For his birthday celebrations, khanna plans to show his recent work. “It took me quite a while to pain it, and it has gone through many iterations,” He states. “I have always been a strong colourist, but I still Remember What Critic Rudy Von Leyden Told Me, That My Drawing is ‘Weak’ Powerful. ” This dedication, we hope, will hold him in good stead for many more years to come.

The writer is a critic-curator by day, and a visual artist by night.