There is a striking anecdote from artist Brij Mohan Anand’s (1928-1986) life that writer-biographer Aditi Anand calls to mind. It was December 1972, when Anand — deeply affected by the ravages of the ongoing war in Vietnam — decided to make his dissent public. The artist setup a printing press unit at home and involved his family and friends in an unusual errand. His A-team was tasked with sending out greeting cards made from his scratchboard composition 'Stop Burning Asia (The Death (sic) is Shadowing You)' to embassies, consulates and newspapers across Delhi.

Opposed to the idea of commoditising art, Brij Mohan Anand (1928-1986) never exhibited any of his work