Umakant Kanade

This quiet philosophy underpins every artwork by Umakant Kanade. With nothing more than a crow quill and ink, he draws the viewer into a utopian jungle - one that is untouched by chaos, unspoiled by greed. In this world of his own imagining, every rock, tree, and bird carries a sacred presence, rendered with meditative detail. His black-and-white landscapes are dense with detail, like woven layers of silence. And then - a single burst of colour. A flower, or a bird in flight, painted in radiant hues. These luminous elements become the focal point, glowing with quiet intensity against the stark inked background. Umakant is among the rare artists in India working with the crow quill - a tool he first encountered through the comic books of his childhood, like Amar Chitra Katha. Once used by draftsmen and lithographers, the crow quill is known for its delicate flexibility. Under Umakant’s hand, it becomes a vehicle of reverence. Each line, however fine, holds intention. His art is a gesture of devotion - to nature, to stillness, and to the joy of looking closely. With intricate lines and a patient hand, he builds sanctuaries on canvas, places where birds rest, flowers bloom undisturbed, and the viewer, too, finds pause.