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Introduction to Modernism in India

• Fine arts perceived as European by the British.

• British belief: Indians lacked training and sensibility for fine arts.

• Establishment of art schools in major cities like Lahore, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai in the mid-19th century.

• Art schools promoted traditional Indian crafts and academic art reflecting Victorian tastes.

• Nationalist art as a response to colonial bias, exemplified by the Bengal School of Art under Abanindranath Tagore and E. B. Havell.

• Kala Bhavana (1919): India’s first nationalist art school, part of Visva-Bharati University, conceived by Rabindranath Tagore.

• Influenced by intense political turmoil post World War I and modern European art via circulating art magazines.

Artistic Movements and Innovations

Emergence of Abstraction

• Art shifted from realism; artists believed art should create its own world.

• Gaganendranath Tagore used Cubism to create unique styles distinct from Pablo Picasso.

• Rabindranath Tagore explored visual art later, incorporating doodles into narratives, resulting in a unique calligraphic style.

• New artists like Nandalal Bose fostered exploration of artistic expression among students, leading to unique styles capturing local life, including flora, fauna, and tribal communities.

Connection to Rural Life

• Benode Behari Mukherjee focused on medieval saints instead of famous epics; his mural in Hindi Bhavana charts a historical narrative.

• Ramkinker Baij celebrated nature and everyday experiences through sculpture (e.g., 'Santhal Family').

• Jamini Roy rejected academic training, embraced folk art, using vibrant colors and simple forms while maintaining a unique personal style.

The Political and Cultural Context Post-Independence

• Amrita Sher-Gil (1913-1941): Influenced by Parisian modernism, she integrated Indian themes into her work, characterized by a distinctive experimental spirit.

• Calcutta Group (1943): Formed in response to societal issues including the Bengal famine, sought to simplify visual expressions and reflect their times.

• Encounter with socialism and Marxism motivated artists like Chittoprasad and Somnath Hore to use printmaking to address social issues.

Progressive Artists and the Evolution of Modern Art

Formation of The Progressive Artists' Group

• Established in Bombay (1946) with creators like F. N. Souza—focused on questioning traditional aesthetics and expressing modern values.

• M. F. Husain and other group members blended Western styles with Indian themes, emphasizing social relevance.

Abstraction as a New Trend

• S.H. Raza favored abstraction, embodying elements of Indian philosophy through art, using symbols like Bindu.

• Diverse influences restrained pure abstraction, with artists exploring paths between abstraction and figuration.

Late 20th Century: Neo-Tantric Art and Eclecticism

• Tension between international and indigenous art intensified.

• Artists like Biren De and K. C. S. Paniker transformed past traditions into contemporary movements known as Neo-Tantric art.

• The eclectic approach became common among modernists, leading to diverse expressions in various mediums.

Contemporary Directions in Indian Art

The Impact of New Media and Globalization

• The 1990s signaled a shift to video, installation art, and photorealism reflecting sociopolitical circumstances.

• Young artists began using popular culture in art, creating new narratives through mixed techniques.

Public Art and Community Engagement

• Initiatives in public art emphasized democratic participation and the social role of art, as demonstrated in the Baroda art movement.

Case Studies: Notable Works and Artists

Lives of Medieval Saints

• Mural by Benode Behari Mukherjee reflecting syncretic traditions and modern techniques, emphasizing public art.

Mother Teresa

• M. F. Husain’s interpretative and modern representation of a cultural icon.

Haldi Grinder

• Amrita Sher-Gil’s depiction of rural Indian women, blending modernist aesthetics with traditional themes.

Devi

• Jyoti Bhatt's etching combining folk elements with contemporary narratives.

Whirlpool

• Krishna Reddy’s innovative print illustrating water dynamics using viscosity printing.

Triumph of Labour

• Debi Prasad Roy Chowdhury’s sculpture showcasing the dignity of labor, deviating from traditional portraiture.

Conclusion

• Modern Indian art reveals a complex interplay of local traditions with contemporary movements, transcending simple categorization; it engages deeply with social, political, and cultural narratives, evolving from colonial times to a diverse modern landscape.