Khanna & Sons
Brunch|January 14, 2023
As millennial artist Viraj Khanna closes his third successful solo show, we present creative banter with him, his fashion designer mum Anamika Khanna and twin Vishesh
Lubna Salim
Khanna & Sons
 

For artist Viraj Khanna, life with his mother, the fashion designer Anamika Khanna, and twin brother, Vishesh Khanna, has become the perfect example of the Hindi proverb, ghar ki murgi dal barabar home-cooked chicken tastes as ordinary as dal).

Viraj’s art has not only been critically lauded, but sold out at gallery shows in Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai. He has been praised by revered painter Jogen Chowdhury, who gushed about how interesting, unique and mature he finds Viraj’s work. But the story back home is different.

“Vishesh and mum Anamika] constantly criticise everything I do! Their brutal honesty about my work is very humbling,” Viraj laughs. People might really like a certain work, but mum and Vishesh will literally say burn it’ if they don’t like it!”



ACCIDENTAL ARTIST

Life in a household of creative people can sometimes, honestly, be a bit nuts. But until the lockdown of 2020, at least one of these three people had never claimed to be creative. This person is Viraj, who is genuinely an accidental artist. When all work stopped in the lockdown, but Anamika’s Instagram page still had to be updated, Viraj thought it might be a good idea to create and upload collages of the magazine coverage of Anamika’s couture. Though he never claimed to be creative, Vishesh has always been interested in art and photography; Viraj then asked Vishesh to create the collages.

But in the pushback common between siblings, Vishesh refused. He said, Why should I do it? You do it!’ And I thought, let me give it a shot. That was my first stint with art,” shares Viraj.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BRUNCHView all
Let's tri all the angles
Brunch

Let's tri all the angles

BFFs falling for the same girl, kidnap twists, murders, bromances. These 10 three-way love stories play with geometry and our feelings

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Should you Q up for this?
Brunch

Should you Q up for this?

Audi's luxury SUV, the Q8, has had a refresh. But a sleeker grille and headlight tech don't make up for what's still missing

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
How to plan a great escape
Brunch

How to plan a great escape

It's getting colder. It's already hard to breathe. Why not plan a winter vacation that's a world away but not too far away?

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Kababs, yes, but khandvi too
Brunch

Kababs, yes, but khandvi too

Mughlai cuisine has as many vegetarian dishes as meaty ones. A new translation of a 16th century manuscript shows how we ate, and why modern labels are pointless

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
I can be your hero
Brunch

I can be your hero

Gurfateh Pirzada, only afewroles old, is the green flag we didn't know we needed. He's learning from women. He wants to be more thana lover and a fighter. He's hoping we all do better. No wonder everyone's crushing on him

time-read
4 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Meet the export experts
Brunch

Meet the export experts

Khadi crop-tops in Spain, faux-leather hoodies in London, fairytale wedding gowns in the UAE. See how some desi labels are killing it on foreign shores

time-read
3 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Why we're all feeling Blue
Brunch

Why we're all feeling Blue

Coco Mellors's new novel is about grief, sisterhood, and of course, addiction and unlikeable women. How does she make it work?

time-read
4 mins  |
November 09, 2024
This week, we're...
Brunch

This week, we're...

Changing the momo game, listening to kids, starting a new business, and supporting pro waxxers

time-read
2 mins  |
November 09, 2024
Rohit Chawla
Brunch

Rohit Chawla

Photographer, artist, @RohitChawlaPhotography_

time-read
1 min  |
November 02, 2024
Congratulations, it's a goal
Brunch

Congratulations, it's a goal

Lakeside vows, pastel palettes, bayous, backyards and boats. These celeb weddings are what modern fairytales are made of

time-read
2 mins  |
November 02, 2024