Ram Kumar: The Sage of Indian Abstraction

Born in 1924 in Shimla, Ram Kumaris one of the eminent artists of India and a tranquil figure in the art world with his enduring presence and creativity. In his formative years, Ram Kumar was surrounded by the meditative environments of the snowcapped mountain ranges in the Himalayas. The silent yet majestic mountains and the clear blue skies are reflected in his vast oeuvre. Following the spiritual quest for creative knowledge and wisdom, Ram Kumar travelled from Varanasi to Machu Picchu to Ladakh. These journeys left a remarkable mark on his artistic development. His love for nature and solitary spaces has made him the foremost abstract painter in the history of the Modern Indian art world.

Ram Kumar had an inclination towards writing in the early ages, which fostered his exploration of paintings. Ram Kumar entered the art world by chance; while pursuing an M.A. in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, he attended an art exhibition. The show deeply intrigued him and became the turning point for him to study art at the Sharda Ukil School of Art. After working in the bank sector, he quit his thriving career to follow his passion. Later, he moved to Paris to study further under the guidance of Andre Lhote and Fernand Leger.

The Subject Matter of Ram Kumar Painting:

Ram Kumar’s subject matter remained Indian even though Western painting styles largely influenced his oeuvre. In 1960, Ram Kumar travelled to Varanasi with MF Hussain, which clearly made an impact on his artistic career. The holy city of Banaras, with its aspects of death and rebirth, has helped with his transition from figuration to abstraction. His abstract compositions are inspired by the scenes from Varanasi and landscapes he has seen in his childhood.

Figuration:

Ram Kumar was fascinated by the human face because of the intensity with which it encompasses the drama of life. The sad, lonely, or lost faces filed his canvases in his early period. These figurative works serve as a commentary on the nuanced socio-political scenarios surrounding the artist. His deep awareness of urban spaces and the disillusionment and misery faced by the people were significant influences on his art. Eventually, his canvases evolved into a blend of abstraction and figuration, shedding the subtle elements of figuration from his paintings.

Grey Period:

Kumar’s time at the city of Banaras inspired him to portray his emotional response to the city of samsara and nirvana. Witnessing the funeral sites and the hopelessness of existence, the artist felt a deep sense of loss, which is reflected in his works during this period. His cityscapes, created in muddy browns and greys, represented the endless cycle of suffering and death.

Minimalist landscapes:

Ram Kumar often depicts minimalist landscapes using simplified forms and a soft colour palette. Whether urban or rural, his landscapes had a quality of solitude and contemplation. These landscapes were meticulously composed with various architectural elements: buildings and small alleys. From the late 1960s till the end of his life, Ram Kumar painted landscapes. His dynamic brushstrokes create a meditative field evoking the infinite sky, peaks, and valleys.

His landscapes from his later years are set against a blue river and a blue sky with a tinge of collective spirituality. It also reflectsthe inner landscapes of the artist and portray the most diverse experiments of the artist’s journey.

Geometric Forms:

Ram Kumar’s paintings often include a wide range of geometric shapes and forms arranged in a way that focuses on harmony and balance. These shapes and forms have enabled him to find a sense of order within the chaotic urban life. Capturing the architectonics of a place, Ram Kumar moved from the realistic parameters and achieved a universal language.

During the 1960s, Ram Kumar’s works moved towards pure abstraction and included juxtaposed vertical and horizontal planes.Ram Kumar paintings reminisce invisible landscapes and his later works are made with projecting angles in dusty colour, portraying the harsh landscapes of Ladakh.

Indian Context: 

Though Ram Kumar artist was inspired by Western modernist movements, he remained deeply rooted in Indian experiences. He always found his home in India and carved his own style of Indian abstraction. His early works, exploring themes like poverty and urban life, were a powerful expression of suffering and alienation. Inclining towards a spiritual path in a later period, he drew observations from the surroundings. This spiritual evolution is evident in his works, which simplified the architectural forms of the Banaras and expanded through the vastness of Indian spirituality.

Conclusion:

Depicting the eternal stillness of inner landscapes that permeate the external world, Ram Kumar paintings express a unique aesthetic. Using the impasto technique containing thick textures and layers, he created mesmerising landscapes evoking the essence of nature.

For his eternal contributions to the art and culture sector, he has been awarded with Padma Shri from the Government of India (1972), Premchand Puraskar (1972), Kalidas Samman (1986), Officers Arts et Letters, Government of France (2003), Lifetime Achievement Award (2010), Padma Bhushan, Government of India (2010), and Fellowship of the Lalit Kala Academy in 2011.

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FAQs:

• What are the awards Ram Kumarreceived?

Ram Kumar received numerous accolades in his artistic career, including the prestigious Kalidas Samman (1986), Officers Arts et Letters from the Government of France (2003), Lifetime Achievement Award (2010), Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honours (2010), and Fellowship of the Lalit Kala Academy in 2011.

• What makes Ram Kumar's paintings so famous?

Ram Kumar paintings evoke a sense of melancholy and myriad elements of spirituality. It primarily depicts the stillness of inner landscapes that permeate the external world.

• What are the significant contributions of Ram Kumar in the world of art?

Ram Kumar made significant contributions to the art world through his distinctive style and exploration of subject matter. Through his state-of-the-art approach to abstraction and delicate depiction of landscapes and the human condition, he made a lasting impression on modern Indian art.

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