From the corridors of government offices to prestigious art galleries in India and abroad, Anand Kumar has built a remarkable journey that brings together public service and artistic excellence. An officer of the 2012 batch of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), currently posted as Assistant Commissioner in the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, he has earned recognition as a self-taught artist whose watercolour paintings have represented India at several international art exhibitions and festivals.
His achievements include representing India at the IV International Watercolor Triennial VARNA 2025 in Bulgaria, securing selection for the Urbino In Aquarello Festival 2026 in Italy, and exhibiting his work at the London Contemporary Art Fair and Venice International Art Fair. His paintings have also been displayed at leading Indian institutions, including Lalit Kala Akademi, the National Crafts Museum and the Visual Arts Gallery at India Habitat Centre.
In 2025, Kumar received a commendation letter from Meghalaya Governor C. H. Vijayashankar for his contribution to the arts. A year earlier, he received the FM’s Award for Excellence in Fine Arts in New Delhi. In 2022, he was recognised as an “Eminent Artist” of the Income Tax Department by a member of the Central Board of Direct Taxes.
Despite these accomplishments, Kumar has continued to pursue art alongside his full-time bureaucratic responsibilities. For nearly 15 years, his passion for painting has taken him from pencil sketches to watercolours that celebrate nature, rural India and the beauty of everyday life.
REPRESENTING INDIA ON THE INTERNATIONAL ART STAGE
One of Kumar’s significant achievements has been the selection of his paintings for international exhibitions that bring together artists from across the world. In 2025, he represented India at the IV International Watercolor Triennial VARNA in Bulgaria. His work was selected alongside that of nine other Indian artists, giving him an opportunity to showcase his artistic interpretation before an international audience.
His painting was also selected to represent India at the Urbino In Aquarello Festival 2026 in Italy, held during April and May. The festival is a major international platform dedicated to watercolour art, bringing together artists who explore the possibilities of the medium.
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Kumar’s work has also travelled to the United Kingdom and Italy. He represented India at the London Contemporary Art Fair in 2020 and 2021, participating in the event for two consecutive years. In 2021, his painting was featured at the Venice International Art Fair.
In 2023, he represented India at the DOTS International Miniature Arts Exhibition in Dhaka, Bangladesh. His painting was selected, displayed and later sold. The same year, his work featured at the 3rd International Watercolor Society Biennale at AIFACS Gallery in New Delhi, where it was also sold after being exhibited.
These milestones have helped Kumar take his work beyond national boundaries while sharing his interpretation of India’s natural beauty and cultural landscapes.
Speaking to Indian Masterminds, Kumar describes art as a form of expression that connects the artist with the viewer. He believes that a painting becomes meaningful when people can understand and feel what the artist wishes to communicate.
HIS PAINTINGS FIND A PLACE IN PRESTIGIOUS INDIAN INSTITUTIONS
Kumar’s achievements are not limited to international platforms. His paintings have also been displayed at several prominent art institutions across India.
His works were exhibited at Lalit Kala Akademi in Jaipur in 2022 and 2023. He also participated in the annual exhibition of Lalit Kala Akademi in Bhubaneswar in 2023 and 2024. In 2022, his paintings were displayed at the National Crafts Museum in New Delhi. More recently, his work featured at the Visual Arts Gallery at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi in 2024 and 2025.
A particularly memorable milestone came in September 2025, when Kumar was invited to display his paintings at Raj Bhawan, now known as Lok Bhawan, in Shillong. The exhibition was inaugurated by Meghalaya Governor C. H. Vijayashankar.
During this occasion, Kumar presented one of his paintings depicting Raj Bhawan to the Governor. The painting now permanently adorns the building’s main hall, giving his work a lasting presence at the institution.
The recognition extended beyond the exhibition. In 2025, the Governor felicitated Kumar and presented him with a commendation letter acknowledging his contribution to the field of art.
AWARDS THAT RECOGNISE HIS ARTISTIC JOURNEY
Kumar has received several honours for his work. In 2024, he received the FM’s Award for Excellence in Fine Arts in New Delhi. Earlier, in 2022, he was recognised as an “Eminent Artist” of the Income Tax Department by a member of the Central Board of Direct Taxes.
His other achievements include a Certificate of Excellence from the COG India Art Foundation, a Silver Award from Nabarun Kala Bhawan and a Gold Medal from the Art Point Foundation in a national art competition.
For a self-taught artist who has developed his skills through practice and experimentation, these recognitions mark important stages in a journey shaped by curiosity and dedication. Each exhibition and award has also given him an opportunity to learn from other artists and reach new audiences.
Yet, Kumar continues to approach painting as an evolving process. Rather than viewing recognition as an endpoint, he sees it as encouragement to explore new subjects, improve his technique and keep creating.
FROM PENCIL SKETCHES TO WATERCOLOUR LANDSCAPES
Kumar’s artistic journey began in his youth, when he discovered his interest in visual arts. He started with pencil sketches and gradually moved towards painting. Over time, watercolours became his preferred medium.
As a self-taught artist, he learnt through regular practice, observation and experimentation. Although he occasionally works with oil and acrylic paints, watercolours continue to excite him the most because of their fluidity and unpredictability.
Unlike some other mediums, watercolours require the artist to work with the natural movement of colour and water. Shades blend and spread across the paper, sometimes producing results that cannot be completely planned. The challenge lies in guiding the colours while retaining their freshness.
Kumar enjoys this balance between control and uncertainty. He uses bright and vibrant colours to create paintings that lift the viewer’s mood and make familiar scenes appear full of life.
His favourite subjects are landscapes, especially village and rural scenes from India. As an avid traveller, he draws inspiration from the natural beauty he encounters during his journeys. Fields, trees, village homes and open landscapes often find their way onto his canvas.
ART WITH A MESSAGE OF CONSERVATION
For Kumar, painting nature is about more than capturing a beautiful scene. His work carries an underlying message about appreciating the environment and protecting it for future generations.
He believes that people are more likely to value nature when they pause to notice its beauty. Through his paintings, he hopes to encourage viewers to develop that connection and support a more sustainable and greener future.
His artistic interests also extend to the younger generation. Kumar teaches art and painting to young people free of cost, encouraging them to explore their creativity and develop a positive outlook towards nature, Indian heritage and culture.
He also shares his work through a dedicated Facebook page, which has more than 15,000 followers. The platform allows him to connect with art enthusiasts beyond galleries and exhibitions.
BALANCING PUBLIC SERVICE WITH A CREATIVE CALLING
As an IRS officer, Kumar has a demanding full-time career. Yet, he has continued to make time for painting and artistic exploration. His journey demonstrates how a professional career and a personal passion can develop side by side.
For nearly 15 years, he has worked to refine his skills, exhibit his paintings and represent India at art platforms in different countries. His achievements reflect not only artistic ability but also the discipline required to sustain a creative pursuit over time.
From international exhibitions in Europe and Asia to recognition from public institutions in India, Anand Kumar’s journey has established him as a bureaucrat who has carried his passion for art onto a wider stage. Through his vibrant watercolours, he continues to celebrate India’s landscapes and remind viewers of the importance of preserving the natural beauty that inspires him.
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