Born in 1925 in what is now Faisalabad, Pakistan, Krishen Khanna grew up in Lahore. His engagement with art began only after graduating from college, when he attended evening classes at the Mayo School of Art in the city. In 1947, following the Partition of India and Pakistan, Khanna’s family moved to Shimla. The upheaval of this moment, both in his personal life and in the wider socio-political landscape, left a profound impression on the young artist. Many of his early works draw upon scenes that remained deeply etched in his memory from this turbulent period.

Largely self-taught as an artist, Khanna had earlier studied at the Imperial Service College in Windsor, England, graduating in 1940. After relocating to India with his family, he secured employment with Grindlays Bank, a position that brought him to Bombay. There, he was invited to join the now celebrated Progressive Artists’ Group. Khanna first exhibited with the group in 1949, and in 1955, he held his first solo exhibition at the United States Information Service (USIS) in Chennai.

Much of Khanna’s work is figurative, as he chose not to pursue the abstraction that engaged many of his contemporaries. His paintings often possess a narrative quality, capturing moments in time in a manner reminiscent of photographic documentation, though his technique remains distinctly painterly rather than photo-realistic. Khanna translated his observations onto the canvas with spontaneity and vitality, retaining the recognisable elements of his subjects. Through expressive brushwork and a sensitive use of colour, he elevated everyday scenes into powerful artistic statements.

Khanna is perhaps best known for his Bandwalla series, which reflects his acute sensitivity towards marginalised sections of society. In these works, he portrays musicians and performers with empathy and dignity, while drawing attention to the challenges they face. The series demonstrates his ability to imbue his paintings with the immediacy and clarity of visual reportage.

Khanna’s works have been widely exhibited both in India and internationally. Over the course of his career, he received numerous honours, including the Lalit Kala Ratna from the President of India in 2004, the Padma Shri in 1990, and the Padma Bhushan in 2011. The artist marked his centenary in 2025.