Nirmal Verma (1929 – 2005)
Writer and Novelist

Artist Krishen Khanna (born 1925)

circa 1960, Oil on canvas
24 x 18 in. (61 x 45.7 cm.)

This evocative portrait by Krishen Khanna titled “My Friend N.V.”, captures the introspective essence of the celebrated Hindi writer. Painted in 1960 during their regular meetings at the Bhulabhai Desai Centre in Bombay, the portrait reflects the deep artistic synergy between the painter and the writer. Verma, known for introducing European literary modernism into Hindi literature, is portrayed here as a contemplative figure. He is immersed in thought, a fitting tribute to his role as a thinker, novelist, and essayist. His melancholic expression, rendered in Khanna’s signature earthy palette and expressive brushwork, evokes both emotional depth and intellectual solitude.

Krishen Khanna, was a key figure in post-independence Indian art and associated with the Progressive Artists’ Group milieu. He developed a distinctive visual language that combined Western modernism with Indian themes. His works often drew upon personal experiences and social narratives, marked by empathy and psychological insight. This portrait is not merely a likeness but a quiet dialogue between two minds-Khanna’s painterly introspection and Verma’s literary depth. The Bhulabhai Centre, where artists, musicians, dancers, and writers came together, served as a vital crucible for such cross-disciplinary friendships. Through this portrait, Khanna immortalizes the creative spirit of that era and his enduring friendship with a literary luminary.