MEMORIES IN MONOCHROME

Manoj Kumar's Visual Travelogue resonates with nostalgia, says creative economy expert Dr Pandiri Harsha Bhargavi.

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Most of us, while attending meetings or taking notes, tend to doodle on the edges of our notebooks in small sketches born out of boredom or contemplation.

These lines, though seemingly random, have been the roots of some of the world's earliest artistic expressions. From prehistoric rock art and Warli murals to the lyrical line drawings of artists like Nandalal Bose, Rabindranath Tagore, Abanindranath Tagore, and B. B. Mukherjee, Bharat's artistic heritage celebrates simplicity, lines that breathe life into imagination.

In this lineage of expressive minimalism, contemporary artist T. K. Manoj Kumar a superannuated bureaucrat hidden artist has brought back the power of the line through his solo exhibition “Between Delhi & the Clouds” held at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi, from 20-26 September 2025, curated by Dali by COMDEZ. The exhibition showcases intricate pen-and-ink drawings that capture the country’s landscapes, markets, and the rhythm of everyday life with an almost photographic precision. Yet, there is no camera here, only memory and mindfulness.

THE LINE AS MEMORY

Line drawing is one of the most profound forms of storytelling. Artists like Nandalal Bose used it to depict the essence of rural India, distilling emotion and movement into single strokes. Rabindranath Tagore's abstract sketches reflected the poet's inner musings, while Abanindranath Tagore employed fine lines to create a distinct visual identity for Indian modern art. B.B. Mukherjee, known for his strong figurative work, also turned to line as a meditative exercise. These masters proved that art does not always need color; sometimes, the soul of the subject reveals itself through shades of black and white. It is in this tradition that Manoj Kumar finds his voice. His sketches, though deeply personal, resonate with a universal emotion-nostalgia, serenity, and an intimate understanding of place.