Ram Kumar’s journey towards developing a contemplative, innovative yet distinct visual language cemented his position as a key modernist in the world of art. Drawing from experiences, memories and observations, Kumar portrayed people and created worlds of cities and landscapes, sometimes mere configurations of shapes and colors, that were univocally his own.

Born in 1924 in Simla, Kumar’s journey into art was not as straightforward as some of his contemporaries. While pursuing a master’s degree in economics from St Stephens College, he began taking evening painting classes under the mentorship of Sailoz Mukherjea at Sarada Ukil School of Art. Even while working in a bank, his creative spirit did not cease to exist. Inspired by his conversations with artist SH Raza, Kumar took a leap and moved to Paris in 1949 to train as an artist under André Lhote and Fernand Leger. This was a pivotal phase in his career. He traveled across Europe, witnessed Western art movements, visited galleries and museums, interacted with artists and intellectuals, allowing these experiences to shape his world view.

Upon returning to India, Kumar devoted himself to his creative pursuits, building a diverse oeuvre in the decades to come. Throughout the evolution of his artistic language, ranging from his early figurative explorations to his later abstract expression, a profound meditative quietude became the unifying thread across his entire body of work.