Dancing Figure in White Lines

Krishen Khanna (b. 1925, Lyallpur, now Faisalabad, Pakistan) is a prominent Indian painter renowned for his significant contributions to modern Indian art. After relocating to India during the Partition, Khanna pursued a career in banking before dedicating himself fully to painting. His work is characterized by expressive figuration, often depicting everyday life, social gatherings, and musicians, rendered in a style that blends narrative realism with modernist sensibilities. Khanna is particularly noted for his recurring themes of the bandwallahs (brass band musicians), which have become iconic within his oeuvre.

Khanna's art has been widely exhibited in major institutions, including the National Gallery of Modern Art (New Delhi and Mumbai), the Lalit Kala Akademi, and the Tate Modern in London. He was a member of the influential Progressive Artists’ Group, which played a pivotal role in shaping post-independence Indian art. His works have also been featured in significant international exhibitions, such as the Venice Biennale and the Tokyo Biennale, further cementing his reputation on the global stage.

At auction, Khanna’s paintings have achieved notable results at leading houses such as Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Bonhams. His works regularly command strong prices, reflecting sustained collector interest and institutional recognition. Krishen Khanna continues to live and work in India, and his enduring legacy is marked by both his artistic innovation and his contributions to the cultural landscape of modern South Asia.