A special tribute to Krishen Khanna’s 100-year legacy

The art lovers get to experience a diverse collection of sculptures, tapestries, paintings, and hand sketches, featuring iconic series by renowned artist Krishen Khanna such as ‘Bandwallahs.’ (Credit: Tao Art Gallery)

Born in 1925 in Lyallpur (now Faisalabad, Pakistan), Krishen Khanna is a largely self-taught artist whose work engages deeply with India’s social, historical, and political landscapes. (Credit: Tao Art Gallery)

His artistic journey began with figurative depictions of life in southern India. (Credit: Tao Art Gallery)

His artistic journey evolved into poetic abstractions reminiscent of Rothko. (Credit: Tao Art Gallery)

One of his main areas of expertise was figurative painting rooted in social realities. (Credit: Tao Art Gallery)

Khanna’s works are characterised by their portrayal of good and evil. (Credit: Tao Art Gallery)

Khanna’s themes have ranged from the vibrant lives of fisher folk and the moods of the sea to more introspective and sombre compositions. (Credit: Tao Art Gallery)

After witnessing the battlefields of the Indo-Pakistani war in 1965, his art took on surreal and violent undertones. (Credit: Tao Art Gallery)

In the late 1960s, he began to depict middle-class culture, painting scenes of vegetable and fruit sellers, street storytellers, and ‘Bandwallahs’ in their crimson uniforms. (Credit: Tao Art Gallery)

Khanna has been recognised with numerous awards, including the National Award by Lalit Kala Akademi (in 1965), a fellowship from the Council of Economics and Cultural Affairs, New York, and the Padma Shri (1990) and Padma Bhushan (2011) from the Government of India. (Credit: Tao Art Gallery)

His pieces are celebrated for their rich colour, dynamic lines, and profound subject matter, leaving a lasting impact on viewers. (Credit: Tao Art Gallery)