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An artist, a philosopher and a poet. Anand Narain could easily be crowned the Renaissance man of our time.

Self-assured, unapologetic and immensely creative, this multi-talented artist’s talents find expression in many avenues. Despite having showcased his stunning and distinctive artworks in numerous exhibitions in India and abroad and having won numerous awards, Anand Narain is not someone to rest on his laurels. Currently he is working towards publishing a book of his poetry and exhibiting his next series on Benaras.

Anand with a Senior Artist in one of his

exhibitions

One of Anand’s earlier works

I trust the phases in my life

Art to me is like a conversation. Since I enjoy philosophy and poetry, my brain is always buzzing with thoughts and ideas. Through this, when a certain thought or idea becomes heavy and refuses to leave and almost turns into a demand to be translated on to canvas. That’s how I follow my muse and my inspiration.

‘A Benaras Landscape’ painting

by Anand

As a poet and a philosopher, I believe that paintings should have a philosophical touch. For instance, with Benaras, it is a place that is bound to inspire every creative person. But I would even go so far as to say I do not want to make paintings of the place. Instead, I want to evoke an atmosphere, through which people can feel like they are experiencing the city.

I believe that art should go beyond the obvious

I grew up in Lucknow and by tenth grade I had become aware of how everyone, including teachers looked to me for direction when it came to art. All my teachers used to remark that no matter what my grades were in other subjects, I was excellent at painting. I then thought to myself that since

My choice has always been clear to me and it was only art

Anand in News

I know that I am really good at art why not channel my natural talent and go ahead in that stream. My choice has always been clear

to me and it was only art.

Delhi Times Coverage

I did my Bachelor’s degree from the Lucknow College of Fine Arts and then my Masters degree at Jamia Millia Islamia. I didn’t have the support of my family because art wasn’t a well-known field then. Though they are educated, they didn’t accept my choices. However, slowly as my art became well-known through exhibitions, media mentions and more, they have come to accept my choice of career.

College of ArtLucknow

My family has come to accept my choice of career

However, though I wasn’t still an aspiring artist who did not have his family’s support, the artist that lived inside me wasn’t small by any stretch of imagination. That artist was incredibly self-confident. It is that self-confidence that has brought me to where I am today. Never at any point did I feel that I am lesser than anyone. I felt that I could do the best work in the field of art and that is why I chose it and I never swayed away from this thought.

Anand in Jehangir Art Exhibition

The artist that lived inside me wasn’t small

Through my years as an artist, my style has evolved. After my training in art, I experimented with all kinds of media. Through this phase emerged my own distinctive style. I believe that an artist has not developed completely until he has a style that is distinct and unique.

Oil on Canvas Painting

I experimented with all kinds of media

Work using Spatula

The spatula is central to my work as an artist. Very few artists uses it these days except for mixing. It is challenging to master it but the efforts are well worth it. It gives the painting a 3D effect and the pigmentation that results is dramatic and strong. This intensity of pigmentation results in paintings that will last hundreds of years.

The spatula is central to my work as an artist

There are certain memories of my early years as an artist that have stayed with me despite all the awards I have received since then. I remember this show I had early on in my career at Triveni Kala Sangam. A newly married couple walked into my exhibition and bought the very first artwork that was hanging. This was in 1993 when it cost all of Rs 1000.

One of his first works

I still remember...

There was also an instance when I had an exhibition at Ravindra Bhavan and the famous artist Ram Kumar visited it. He wasn’t known for visiting art exhibitions or leaving comments in the feedback book, but he did both for me and I still remember the line he wrote for me— ‘even more impressive than hope’.

Even more impressive thanhope

I give my creative muse free rein

The poetry I write is another very important creative outlet for me. From social events to contemporary issues, my thoughts about it sometimes takes the form of poetry. I will soon be publishing a volume of a series of 50 poems titled ‘Woh Adhunak Kavi Kuch Kahta Kyun Nahi Hai’. Whether it is philosophy, painting or poetry, I give my creative muse free rein. When it wants to gallop, I let it run free and when it wants to rest, I leave it be.