NANDALAL BOSE (1882-1966)

"In the first half of the twentieth century the artist, Nandalal Bose, was widely known and acknoweldged to be one of the leading painters of his times. He enjoyed this reputation on the basis of his work and achievement. His paintings were the evidence of an original style which did not reject tradition but gave it a contemporary language. Nandalal was chosen by Rabindranath Tagore to be the principal of Kala Bhavan, the art department at Santiniketan. He built this institution and its museum with catholicity and vision. In Santiniketan he contributed to the evolution of a new method of art teaching which emphasised the freedom of the artist. Further, by his life, he exemplified the Indian artists' traditional role as one of service to the community. Nandalal was part of the national renaissance at a time when there was a new spirit of confidence and creativity. He was a patriot and found fulfilment through his own work. Nandalal was invited twice to decorate the All India Congress sessions. He designed the layout of the Indian Constitution. He showed both in practice and in precept, that the artist had a position and responsibility to society and was the creative force that gave direction to style and taste. Art was not a superfluous adjunct or luxury but an integral part of daily life and culture." ('Nandalal Bose - A Renaissance Artist of Modern India', India News, 2 April 1984, p. 4)