Ramesh Anand: A Lifelong Journey Through Form and Essence by Dr. Ved Prakash Bhardwaj

 

Ramesh Anand (1950-2025), an active artist since 1975 from Dewas, Madhya Pradesh, has devoted his life to continuously exploring new paths of expression in both painting and drawing. A lifelong learner, he is known for moving effortlessly between figurative and abstract modes, often working in both simultaneously. His artistic journey is marked by constant evolution and a deep desire to explore human relationships, nature, and the essence of life.

In the early years of his career during the 1970s, Anand focused on figurative art, portraying the intricate bond between humans and nature. His works featured human figures and monuments, reflecting his belief that architectural structures gained vitality through human presence. Over time, however, he came to realize that even in their emptiness, these monuments held a life of their own. This insight drew him toward exploring the stillness, presence, and inner essence of architectural forms.

As his practice developed, Anand began to feel limited by figurative art, sensing that it did not give him the freedom to fully engage with the complexities of life. This recognition led him toward abstraction, which opened a new realm of possibilities. His abstract works embrace minimal forms inspired by early fascinations with basic shapes as well as a lifelong love of monuments, mountains, rivers, and trees. Through the interplay of overlapping colors and the balance of light and dark, his paintings create depth and shifting perspectives that mirror life’s movement between clarity and obscurity.

Anand’s abstract process often begins with small architectural elements that he enlarges on canvas, merging opacity and transparency to create a monumental yet ethereal quality. His technique, though seemingly simple, uses layered tones and colors to achieve dramatic visual effects—evoking both solidity and fluidity.

Alongside his paintings, Anand’s drawings occupy a special place in his oeuvre. They combine traditional and modern sensibilities, drawing from miniature and folk art while transforming these influences into a contemporary visual language. His imagery may appear simple, but his mastery of composition and space—shaped by his study of miniature techniques—gives the drawings remarkable presence. By blending traditional motifs with modern composition, Anand has forged a distinctive style that bridges past and present, imbuing his work with both historical depth and contemporary vitality.

Whether figurative or abstract, whether rendered in ink on paper or paint on canvas, Ramesh Anand’s art is a meditation on life’s complexities. His ability to continually reinvent his practice while remaining grounded in both tradition and modernity marks him as a significant figure in contemporary Indian art. Through his sensitive exploration of form, color, and space, he creates works that invite viewers to reflect on the layered nature of life and the ways in which stillness and movement coexist in the world around us.