Art and Words, Bound Together with The Green Book

In this illuminating conversation with Amitava Kumar, we delve into the creative genius behind The Green Book, a work that transcends traditional storytelling by seamlessly blending art and literature.

- By Pria Raiyani and Swapna Peri

Kumar shares the philosophy of "seeing is, in fact, being," the evolution of his creative journey across the trilogy of colors, and the intricate balance of spontaneity and purpose in his observations. From vivid sketches that complement profound narratives to reflections on how art and literature serve as life’s compass, this interview unravels the threads of creativity, introspection, and the enduring legacy of an observer’s gaze.

In The Green Book, your illustrations play a central role in the storytelling process. What inspired you to intertwine art with writing so seamlessly, and how do you decide which moments are better expressed through sketches rather than words?

I didn’t think of the drawings or paintings as illustrations. An illustration, as I understand the word, is an accompaniment. It is something drawn or painted _to illustrate_ what is more important—the argument or the story, which is the main thing. I draw or paint what I find visually interesting. There is no hierarchy that separates the visual from the verbal. I think of them as autonomous forms, independent of each other. And yet they are related, one can say something about the other, not in a plain sense but through the mechanics of juxtaposition.

The book emphasizes the philosophy of “seeing is, in fact, being.” How has this approach shaped not just your art but also your personal worldview?