Gallerist, friend, art connoisseur: Artist Khanna remembers Virendra Kumar

Virendra Kumar, who opened the Kumar Art Gallery in Sunder Nagar, Delhi, passed away recently

Added to the long list of fatalities in 2020 is Virendra Kumar, the person who opened the Kumar Art Gallery in Sunder Nagar, Delhi. He was one of the first to venture out in dealing with modern art. In those times, roughly the thirties and forties, living by the sale of modern works was difficult. Only those who were dedicated and not afraid of failure gravitated to this “profession”. Virendra Kumar was one such, and he created a gallery which is unique.

The personality of Virendra Kumar was complex. A subtle mix of the metaphysical and the down-to-earth practical.

I