Visual stories shaped by modern India
Krishen Khanna, one of India's most celebrated modern painters, is known for artworks that deeply engage with the pulse of post-Independence India. Born in 1925 in Faisalabad (now Pakistan), Khanna witnessed the horrors of Partition firsthand — an experience that continues to echo through his narrative-driven canvases. His work blends figuration with social commentary, often depicting everyday people—bandwallahs, workers, saints—in moments of music, ritual, or resilience.
A self-taught artist who left a successful banking career to pursue his passion, Khanna’s oeuvre is marked by emotional intensity and masterful draftsmanship. His palette is bold, his forms expressive, and his themes often rooted in human struggle, spirituality, and the socio-political climate of a changing India.
Krishen Khanna chose to associate with Chandigarh Art Gallery because of its commitment to preserving India’s artistic heritage while amplifying contemporary voices. He appreciated the gallery’s curatorial integrity and its role in making meaningful art accessible to a wider audience. For him, it was not just a venue, but a cultural partner that echoes his own values of storytelling, identity, and purpose through art.