MUNISH GUPTA
TK Manoj Kumar’s journey with pen and ink art began long before his professional career as an IAS officer took shape. He works exclusively in this medium, believing that all artists should be first and foremost masters of line drawing.
Kumar has illustrated four books, ‘Gup and Gossip from the Hills’ (author Ganesh Saili, Niyogi Press Delhi 2012); ‘Clouds End and Beyond’ (Wisdom Tree, Delhi 2016); Fragrant Words (Bloomsbury, Delhi 2019) and ‘The Haunting Himalayas’ (Har Anand Publishers Delhi 2020). The last three books are authored by Rajni Sekhri Sibal. Many of his works have been used on porcelain mementos by the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie.
Kumar’s works show that with black ink and white space, one can tell complex stories. Over the years he has developed a language of fine detail, line by line, to explore the themes of nature and lived experiences in Mussoorie and Delhi. His works are realistic, sometimes tending to the abstract, with a quirky twinge. They are rooted to the ground as seen from his picture of the iconic Paranthe Wali Gali. His Delhi sketches are not just a record of the city, but an ode to it. They are a product of his endless wandering through its myriad spots. They reflect the city’s indestructible myths, and the many things below its tumultuous surface. He chronicles its grand buildings and the overwhelming markets. They do not just persuade the reader to visit the place, but make him feel that he has actually been there.
During his busy official career, Kumar has worked extensively in the fields of diaspora engagement, food and warehousing, among others. After retirement, he now focuses on his artistic pursuits. He says the art for him is a form of communication to convey his unspoken feelings to countless others. It is also a form of meditation to speak to his inner self. It teaches him patience and precision, and sharpens observation.
Kumar participated in ‘Past Forward’, an art exhibition organised by an art gallery, Dali by Comdez. (Comdez is a strategic design agency with a focus on customer experience and helps brands to craft meaningful interactions. Born from this creative spirit is Dali by Comdez—an invitation-only art gallery in Noida that aims at curating art, hosting exhibitions and celebrating artistic voices). The show was at the India Habitat Centre.