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KRISHAN KHANNA is one of the celebrated names of
contemporary art. He started painting at a time when there was not much glamour
in art along with his friends M.F. Husain, Tyeb Mehta, Ramkumar, Raza, Ara,
Souza, Gaitonde and others. In fact he gave up a job in Grindlays Bank to
pursue art about four decades ago - something that needed guts as the art scene
in the Sixties was no way comparable to what it is now. His passion for art
motivated him to take such a step. And his perseverance and interest fetched him
rewards and accolades. Basically a self-taught artist, Krishan Khanna has also
taught art in the United States without any formal academic qualification in
the subject. His works reflect a socio-political commitment, especially the
`Game' series. Depiction of violence and death is rather common perhaps
stemming from his experiences during the Partition. The artist's empathy
towards the downtrodden and ordinary people is vivid in his paintings
For a painter who began painting in his youth and who juggled art and a bank job (he
joined Grindlays bank in 1948 and was posted in Mumbai) for a few years, giving
up a lucrative job was a courageous decision at a time when it was difficult to
survive on `earnings' through art. Yet Krishan Khanna had the confidence though
it was a dicey question as he says "there were uncertainties. They will
always be there. I was painting and exhibiting. My shows in Mumbai were well
received. My father always encouraged me in art and told me that I should do
what I think I can. So I did just that. My wife stood by me when I resigned
from the bank. Also I was lucky to be posted in Mumbai where my artist-friends
Husain, Raza, Ara and others gave me hope to pursue art. They were inspiring
and also critical."
Krishan Khanna started at a time when there was no
money or glamour in art. How does he view the situation today? "The
changes have happened fast. Prices have increased reasonably. I feel confident
of my economic viability. It's a good thing that economic conditions of the artists
have improved."
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| Q IF YOU WERE A ROCK STAR WHO WOULD YOU BE? |
| ringo star |
| Q IF YOUR ART WAS AN ANIMAL WHICH WOULD IT BE ? |
| sloth bear |
| Q REMIXES ARE THE WEAPONS OF THE DEVIL? |
| everybody has a bit of the devil in them |
| Q WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION ? |
| painting itself was in inspiration, my father always encouraged me and all my friends were involved in it so i kind of grew up into it |
| Q DID YOU EVER QUESTION YOUR ART? |
| yes i did which is why i worked in a bank for 13 1/2 |
| Q WAS THIS YOUR FIRST CAREER OPTION ? |
| yes definetly |
| Q IS A CAREER IN ART A RISKY PROPOSITION ? |
| people are buying more but at the same time the numbers of painters itself is also increasing manyfold. though on the one hand purchasing power with regard to artworks has
increased still it is essentiall to have another job as backup |
| Q DO YOU THINK THE EDUCATION SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE
RE-EVOLVED TO ENCOURAGE THE ARTS ? |
| defintly i think the guru shisya method of teaching is ideal |
| Q WOULD MONETARY BENIFITS SUCH AS PENSIONS
ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO TAKE UP ART ? |
| not really, its hard but you haveto depend on yourself |
| Q IF YOU WERE TO BE REBORN WHO OR WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE ? |
| a painter definetly i haveto be reborn as a painter atleast
10 times before i get bored of it |
| Q IF YOU COULD BE GOD FOR A DAY AND COULD DO NOTHING ABOUT PEACE,
POVERTY AND THE NUCLEAR BOMB WHAT WOULD YOU DO ? |
| i would be a god who paints sort of like vishwakarma |
| Q IF YOU COULD UNINVENT ANYTHING WHAT WOULD IT BE? |
| computer |
| Q TRANCE IS NONSENSE OR THE NEXT STEP ? |
| it depends i mean i do like some of it . |
| Q IF YOU COULD BE ANY CHARECTOR FOR A DAY WHO WOULD
YOU BE? |
| i think Amitabh Bachaan might want to be me |
| Q BEST SHOP TO BUY EQUIPMQNT IN DELHI ? |
| i buy my material from Sveta Arts in lajpat Nagar, its owned
by a fellow named chawla |
| Q IDEAL AGE TO START LEARNING ART ? |
| art is a development of the mind so any age is fine |
| Q ARE THEIR ANY INFORMATION AND RESOURCE CENTERS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE
CAN REFER TO? |
| i'm not really sure but lalit kala akadami and National gallery of modern art |
