![]() Soon there were exhibitions in other places like London, New York, Japan, China, Korea, Java and Australia. A society called 'The Indian Society of Oriental Art' was established and classes were taken by Tagore. There was also an issue of a new journal of art called 'Rupam' under the editorship of an art-critic O. C. Ganguly. N. C. Mehta, Raval, Stella Kramrisch, Karl Khandal ivala and G. Venkatachalam worked for Indian art. Abanindranath Tagore is known as the father of the new renaissance in painting. He came across Indian paintings and he felt a call to go after the old Indian artistic styles. He took lessons from an expert Indian craftsman and painted Radha Krishna series. Later on he was inspired both by Havell and Tagore. Then he joined the Indian Society of Oriental Art and trained pupils who are famous today, namely Aurendra Ganguly, Nandalal Bose, K. Venkatappa, Hakim Khan, Asit Kumar Haldar and Samrendranath Gupta. They were taught the old Indian technique by Ishwari Prasad Varma, a hereditary painter after the old Rajput style. All of them have become international figures. Abanindranath's work was a turning point in Indian artistic history. He raised India from the depths of humiliation and has regained for India the honoured position. In Abanindranath's works one finds a perfect blending of Hindu motifs, Persian colouring and methods of Japanese painting. Freshness and vigour, individuality and synthesis are the features of his art. His masterpieces are 'the Passing of Shah Jahan,' 'The queen of Ashoka,' 'Aurangzeb,' 'Radha Krishna' and 'Buddha the Mendicant.' He remains an individual genius with a flair for synthesis. Creative spirituality was visible in his collections. Gaganendra Nath Tagore, the elder brother of Abanindranath was one of the best artists in India. ![]() Nandlal Bose enjoys popularity throughout the world. He is true to the ancient art of India and the pathway at Haripura and Faizpur show how ancient India must have lived. He has brought out the import of Indian legends and religious stories. Some of his famous creations are 'Shiva mourning over Parvati,' 'Sati,' 'Uma's grief,' 'Garuda,' and 'Kaikeyi.' His forte is the vigorous expression of his lines. He has recreated the masterpieces of Ajanta. Among other artists of fame are Devi Prasad Choudhry, M. A. Rahman Chaghatai, Sarda Charan Ukil, Mukul Chandra Dey, Rabindranath Tagore and Amrita Sher Gil. Recent trends are towards independence and adoption of the Western art. Of such artists the best known are M. F. Hussain, Mali, V. D. Chinchalkar, Abani Sen and Kamala Das Gupta. They follow the latest styles of Europe-post-impressionism to wit. There are a number of art-centres or societies in India like Andhra Kalashala, Muslipattam, Baroda Kala Bhavan, Art Schools in Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow, Mumbai and Madras, Kala Bhavan, Shantiniketan and the All-India Fine Arts and Crafts Society of New Delhi. There are art journals among which Marg is the most famous. India has registered a great progress in the art of painting. However of late the art shows signs of flagging and inspiration have disappeared. Originality has given place to caricature and aping the Western art. Art-revival is possible when originality is combined with respect for tradition. Rhythm, balance and harmony are the essentials of art. ![]() |