“I’m Jai Khanna. Art has been part of my life since childhood. In the beginning, I didn’t even realise it was art. I was simply drawn to the form of Krishna. I didn’t know who he was at that time, but I felt a connection. Whatever I saw in my dreams, I would try to sketch. That’s how it started.

Over time, Krishna’s form and presence became central to my work. Everything I create comes from either the scriptures or the visuals I see in dreams. There’s no other source. It’s been over thirty years now, and I’ve had several solo shows. My entire body of work revolves around Krishna.

I studied marketing and worked in the corporate space for a while, but I never stopped creating art. Back then, it wasn’t easy to leave a conventional path and follow your own. But my family was supportive, especially my mother. She’s an artist too. We also come from a family with a long history in textiles, so visual expression was part of our everyday life. I grew up in a large joint family in South Delhi, surrounded by many perspectives and influences.

Now, I’m a full-time artist. But even then, the transition felt natural. Art was always there, running alongside everything else.

The knowledge and understanding of forms like Krishna, Mahavir, and Shiva come from the scriptures. As children, we heard stories from our grandparents. That slowly turned into a habit of reading and exploring different traditions and texts over the years.

Energy and meditation are central to my process. I believe art has to carry energy. That’s why people often tell me they feel something when they see my work. Without meditation, I don’t think I could paint the way I do.

My journey into Jainism began with a darshan at a Jain temple. In that moment, I saw the face of Krishna. That experience stayed with me. It led me to start visiting Jain temples, reading Jain scriptures, and understanding the philosophy more deeply. What began as a moment of spiritual clarity turned into a larger commitment. I spent three years travelling across the country to research Jain pilgrimages, visiting sacred sites like Shravana Belgola and Kola Shikharji. That entire journey became the foundation for a solo show dedicated to the five main gurus of Jainism, expressed through symbolic language.

For Krishna and Shiva, I’ve spent a lot of time visiting temples across South India, in places like Kumbakonam and Kanchipuram. I’ve also travelled to the East — Puri, among others. Our country has an incredible spiritual and architectural history that continues to inspire me.

My biggest support system has been my brother. He understands my work deeply and also collects art himself.

Looking back, I still find it hard to believe I completed a full solo show on Jainism, especially because I knew almost nothing about it just a few years earlier. But that’s what keeps the journey meaningful — when you step into the unknown and trust where it takes you.

Right now, I’m working on a new series focused on Shiva. That’s where most of my research and creative energy is going.

To anyone who wants to pursue art full-time but is unsure, I’d say this: talent alone isn’t enough. You need faith — in God and in yourself. When you believe in that, opportunities come your way. And once they do, give it your all. If art is what calls you, don’t hold back. Follow it.”