The Bengal School of Art

Bengal School - The History
What began as an artistic 'reaction' to the identity crisis, the Indians faced under the British rule, soon became a major movement of national scale, which every Indian could identify with. Abanindranath Tagore, nephew of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore co-founded and aggressively promoted the Bengal School of Art during the early twentieth century.
Along with the British art instructor Ernest Binfield Havel, Tagore advocated the Mughal Painting style as truly 'Indian' that was capable of encapsulating the spiritual prowess of the Indian culture. Tagore honed his artistic abilities under the guidance of Charles Palmer and Olinto Gilhardi, but remained loyal to the Indian sentiments and aesthetics that the British regime curbed and neglected.
The Details
The art style of East-Asian countries like Japan, inspired Abanindranath Tagore and in turn, the Bengal School. Tagore's works were the beautiful blends of the Mughal Paintings, European Naturalism, Ajanta Frescos, Pahari & Rajput Miniature, and the Japanese 'Wash' Technique. Watercolors found great use in the Bengal School and facilitated the characteristic 'Wash' method of painting. Paintings from the Bengal School also carried the elements of Symbolism and the linear designs of Japanese Art.
The Artworks
One of the signature works of this school of art was 'Bharat Mata' by Abanindranath Tagore, dating back to 1905. 'Bharat Mata' was painted predominantly in the varying shades of orange, saffron, and yellow, all being the colors of spirituality, sanctity, and Hindu religion. This work signified a personification of the holy spirit of India, 'Mother India,' whom the Indians revered and worshiped as a Goddess. She is depicted holding a paper roll (referring to knowledge), sheaves of rice (symbolizing sustenance), a mala (portraying sacredness), and a white cloth (denoting purity). 'Bharat Mata' therefore, became the goal and symbol of the freedom movement in India.
The Artists
Sanat Chatterjee, Ganesh Pyne, Devajyoti Ray, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Jahar Dasgupta, Sudip Roy, and Paresh Maiti are among the modern torchbearers of this revolutionary art.
Conclusion
The golden days of the Bengal School of Art lasted until around 1930s, when other styles began taking its place. With the growing impact of the Western Art movements, including Impressionism, Post-impressionism, Cubism, Fauvism, Secularism, and the experimental Neo-Primitivism, it started losing its sheen and mass appeal. It drew dissension from the modern artists, like The Bombay Progressives, who termed it as overly idealistic, regressive, and indistinctive in character. It was regarded as an art that relied heavily on history, events, and written text, rather than on artistic imagination of distinguished kind. Nevertheless, the Bengal School continues, even in the present times.

The Re-Emergence of Bengal Art

The Re-Emergence of Bengal Art


The Tagore family was responsible for bringing about the resurgence in Bengal Art and Literature. The renaissance of Bengali Art took place during the 20th century. Initally, the popular theme of most painters was the Indian Epics, the sculptures at Ajanta and Ellora and Mughal architecture. Slowly the trend changed and the artists concentrated on the culttural heritage of thier respective states.

Some also expressed the tragedies of Indian partition through paintings. This piece of work proved to be a turning point in the Indian art scenario. Painters subsequently evolved their independent style setting aside all prejudices. This also influenced the thriving of innovative ideas which were displayed by the refreshing new art works. This was a predecessor of the times to come.


Every Indian Art Gallery today showcases traditional as well as the contemporary Indian art, some of which are vigorous and audacious sort of painting yet have sophistication and grace. They are a manifestation of the myriad art forms.


The pioneers in the contemporary Indian Art prior Independence was Abanindranath Tagore. He incorporated Japanese and Chinese styles into his paintings which were shortly followed by several other Indian painters, hence developing the contemporary style. Some of the renowned Indian painters prior Indian Independence were Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy, Amrita Shergill, A.K. Haldar, Samarendranath Gupta, Nandlal Bose and Raja Ravi Verma.


The contemporary Indian art has a unique entity which reflects the intuitive and emotions of Indian culture. This has been employed with the soft touch of the Indian elegance.


Some popular contemporary Indian artists are Satish Gujral, Maqbool Fida Hussian, Deepak Shinde, Laxman Shreshtha, Sanjay Bhattacharya, S.H. Raza, N.S. Bendre, Jatin Das, Prabhakar Barwe and Anjolie Ela Menon. The Indian Art gallery showcases the art works of most of these eminent artists and each show is likely to attract innumerable art lovers.


The art at the break of the 21st century is a lot varied and has some never before seen aspect. From adorning the houses of elitist businessmen and royal families, the art has entered the houses of the middle-class buyers and today it is also travelling from the domestic market to offshore fetching exorbitant prices.
As the contemporary artists of India continue drawing inspiration from numerous sources and styles, yet it still retains the distinct "Indianness". With the evolution of newer styles and never seen before styles the
contemporary Indian art is reaching new heights.