Nandalal Bose

Nandalal Bose (1882–1966) was one of the most eminent pioneers of modern Indian art and a central figure of the Bengal School of Painting. A painter, teacher, and thinker, he played a foundational role in shaping India’s artistic identity in the early 20th century, blending Indian traditions, folk motifs, and nationalist spirit with modern aesthetics.
A disciple of Abanindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose revived classical Indian art and helped lay the foundation for Santiniketan’s Kala Bhavana, turning it into a vibrant centre of artistic learning and cultural revival. His work reflected the soul of India — its mythology, rural life, festivals, and freedom struggle — rendered with simplicity, sensitivity, and profound spiritual vision.

Early Life and Education

Nandalal Bose was born on 3 December 1882 in Haveli Kharagpur, in the Munger district of present-day Bihar, into a middle-class Bengali family. From childhood, he showed an interest in drawing and modelling clay figures.
Despite initial resistance from his parents, who wanted him to pursue a traditional career, Bose followed his artistic passion. He moved to Calcutta (Kolkata) to study art and was admitted to the Government School of Art, where he came under the influence of Abanindranath Tagore, the founder of the Bengal School of Art.

Influence of the Bengal School of Art

The Bengal School of Painting emerged in the early 1900s as a reaction against the Western academic realism introduced by the British colonial education system. Under Abanindranath Tagore, the school sought to revive classical Indian artistic traditions — drawing inspiration from Mughal miniatures, Ajanta murals, and East Asian (Japanese and Chinese) art styles.
Nandalal Bose became one of Abanindranath’s foremost disciples and inherited his vision of art as a medium of spiritual and cultural awakening.
During his formative years, Bose was influenced by:

• Ravindra and Abanindranath Tagore, who instilled in him a deep appreciation for Indian heritage and literature.
• Japanese artist Okakura Kakuzō and Yokoyama Taikan, who introduced him to East Asian brush techniques and philosophies.
• The Ajanta cave murals, which left a lifelong impression on him for their graceful lines, muted colours, and emotive power.

Artistic Philosophy

Nandalal Bose believed that art should reflect the life and spirit of the nation. He saw the artist as a bridge between tradition and modernity, and his work often celebrated the everyday life of Indian villages alongside mythological and historical themes.
His style is characterised by:

• Simple, flowing lines inspired by Ajanta murals.
• Harmony of colour and composition, often in soft earthy tones.
• Themes of Indian culture, folklore, and spirituality.
• Deep empathy for rural life and common people.

Bose saw art as a form of national service, closely aligned with the Swadeshi movement and India’s freedom struggle.

Career and Major Phases

1. Early Phase (1905–1920): The Bengal Revivalist Period

• Focused on mythological and literary themes inspired by epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
• Famous early works include Sati (1907), which portrays the self-sacrifice of the goddess in a graceful, spiritual manner.
• Used watercolours and tempera, with influences from Japanese wash technique and Mughal miniatures.

2. Santiniketan Period (1921–1940): The Folk and Rural Turn

• Invited by Rabindranath Tagore in 1921 to head the art faculty at Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan.
• Here, Bose developed a style that merged classical discipline with folk simplicity and rural vitality.
• His students, including Benode Behari Mukherjee and Ramkinkar Baij, became leading figures in modern Indian art.
• Created numerous works depicting Indian festivals, village life, and agricultural scenes.

3. Nationalist and Social Themes (1940s–1960s)

• Art became more directly associated with India’s struggle for independence.
• He created illustrations for the Haripura Posters (1938) at the request of Mahatma Gandhi for the Indian National Congress Session at Haripura.
  • These posters depicted farmers, labourers, and rural workers, symbolising self-reliance and national unity.
• Also designed the Emblem of the Government of India (the Ashoka Lion Capital) after independence in 1947.

Major Works

Contribution to National Identity

Nandalal Bose’s art became a visual symbol of India’s cultural and spiritual resurgence during the freedom movement.

• His designs were used in important national projects such as:
  • The Constitution of India (1950): He and his students illustrated its pages with motifs from India’s heritage — Ajanta murals, folk art, and motifs of freedom.
  • Haripura Congress Posters (1938): Represented Gandhi’s vision of rural India and the dignity of labour.

Through his art and teaching, Bose articulated the idea of Indian modernism — rooted in tradition but open to new forms and ideas.

Teaching Legacy

As the principal of Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan, Nandalal Bose shaped generations of artists and educators. His teaching approach emphasised:

• Learning from nature and rural life rather than rigid academic methods.
• Combining craft and fine art to break the barrier between “high” and “folk” art.
• Encouraging creativity, experimentation, and cultural pride.

His students — including Benode Behari Mukherjee, Ramkinkar Baij, K.G. Subramanyan, and Somnath Hore — carried forward his vision, establishing a distinct lineage of Santiniketan art.

Artistic Style Summary

Recognition and Awards

Nandalal Bose received numerous honours for his artistic and educational contributions:

• Padma Vibhushan (1954) – India’s second-highest civilian award.
• Fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi (1956).
• Deshikottama (Honorary Doctorate) – Conferred by Visva-Bharati University.
• Invited by the Government of India to design the Republic Day tableau and other national symbols.

Legacy

Nandalal Bose remains a towering figure in Indian art history, revered not only as an artist but as a cultural leader and teacher. His legacy lies in:

• Reviving Indian art traditions while integrating them into modern contexts.
• Inspiring the idea of “Indian modernism” — an art that is contemporary yet deeply rooted in indigenous culture.
• Shaping Santiniketan into a global hub of creative and intellectual exchange.
• Creating a national visual language for modern India through his work for the Constitution and national symbols.