Anurag Anand blends art, writing and corporate creativity

For Anurag Anand, creativity isn’t something to be boxed into categories. Over the years, he has built a life that moves fluidly between writing, marketing and art — three practices that feed into one another, all rooted in observation.

“Whether I’m writing a novel, designing a brand campaign, or working on a canvas, the impulse is the same,” says Anand. “It starts with noticing something others might miss.”

Born in Patna in 1978, Anand began his public career as an author. He has written fifteen books, including The Legend of Amrapali, To Hell and Back, and The Crimson Throne of Mahoba, moving comfortably across genres. His work has featured in major publications, and he has appeared on literary panels and news debates.

But alongside his writing, another form of expression was quietly taking shape.

“I started painting without much intention,” he says. “It was a private space at first. But over time, it became something I wanted to share.”

An evolving visual language

This August, Anand will present ECHOES, a solo exhibition of his latest artworks at Bikaner House in New Delhi. Organised by Gallery Silver Scapes, the show runs from August 13 to 18, and continues both online and at the gallery space till September 15. The works, marked by textured surfaces and abstract architectural forms, reflect Anand’s evolving engagement with space, memory and stillness.

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His art has been exhibited widely — from solo shows like MYRIAD HUES and SOULFUL SOJOURN to group exhibitions such as HARMONY at Bikaner House and UNARCHIVED at Visual Art Gallery. He has participated in major art fairs, including the India Art Festival, The Haat of Art, and the Gurugram Art Fair. In 2022, he received the Bangiyaa Kala Upaasnaa Award for his work in an international online show.

By day, Anand works as a marketing manager at The Coca-Cola Company, where he leads storytelling and employee engagement projects. His corporate contributions have earned him the Lal Bahadur Shastri Award and recognition from the World HRD Congress.

He doesn’t see a divide between his roles.

“People assume there’s a big difference between being an artist and working in the corporate world. But I’ve found that creativity and communication link them,” he says.

Asked whether he sees himself more as an artist or a writer, Anand replies simply, “I see myself as someone trying to express, using whichever tools I have at the time.”