The Modern Trends in Indian Art
Paintings:
1. Rama Vanquishing the Pride of the Ocean – Raja Ravi Varma
2. Mother and child – Jamini Roy
3. Haldi Grinders - Amrita Sher Gill
4. Mother Teresa - M.F.Husain
Graphic - prints:
1. Children – Somnath Hore
2. Devi – Jyoti Bhatt
3. Of Walls - AnupamSud
4. Man, Woman and Tree - K. Laxma Goud
Sculptures:
1. Triumph of Labour - D. P. Roychowdhury
2. Santhal Family – RamkinkarVaij
3. Cries Un - heard – Amar Nath Sehgal
4. Ganesha - P.V. Janaki Ram
The Modern Trends in Indian Art- An Introduction
Introduction: Indian art during the period 1900-1925 came to be dominated by the Bengal School but the
revivalists failed to strike any permanency because of the lack of originality. They will be remembered for their
effort to revive the classical Indian tradition based on epic and mythology through their paintings. But they lacked
the social consciousness of the classical times of Indian history and were indifferent to contemporary Indian values.
Abanindranath and Nandalal will be remembered as pioneers of a movement which failed. The artists after 1925
refused slavish imitation of the mannerism of the art of the past. They felt that such imitations shackle the
imagination of the artists and not liberate it. Such art remained only an illustrative art unable to express the intensity
of the times.
Gaganendranath though a contemporary, tried cubistic painting influenced by European cubism. Rabindranath in
his painting tried expressionism.
A host of other artists like Nirod Mazumdar, Rathin Maitra, Gopal Ghosh, and Paritosh Sen attempted a change in
their outlook on art.
Figurative drawing has been replaced by abstract painting trying to search for beauty in
formlessness. Somnath Hore, Jyoti Bhatt, and Anupam Sud brought variety to Modern Indian Art by
their graphic prints.
The artists after 1925 refused slavish imitation of the mannerism of the art of the past. They felt that
such imitation stops the imagination of the artists and does not liberate it. Such an art remained only
an illustrative art unable to express the intensity of the times. Gaganendranath though a
contemporary, tried cubistic painting influenced by European cubism. Rabindranath in his painting
tried expressionism.
A host of other artists like Nirod Mazumdar, Rathin Maitra, Gopal Ghosh, Paritosh Sen attempted a
change in their outlook on art. Amrita Sher Gil started painting in oil discarding the soft ‘wash’
technique.
Figurative drawing has been replaced by abstract painting trying to search for beauty in
formlessness. Somnath Hore, Jyoti Bhatt, and Anupam Sud brought variety to Modern Indian Art
through their graphics.
The Progressive Artists’ Group of Bombay and the Multifaceted Indian Art
The desire for freedom — political, as well as, artistic — soon spread widely among young artists, who witnessed
Independence from the British Raj. In Bombay, another set of artists formed a group, called The Progressives in
1946. Francis Newton Souza was the outspoken leader of the group, which included M. F. Husain, K. H. Ara, S. A.
Bakre, H. A. Gade and S. H. Raza. Souza wanted to question the conventions that had prevailed in art schools. For
him, modern art stood for a new freedom that could challenge the traditional sense of beauty and morality.
However, his experimental works were focused mainly on women, whom he painted as nudes, exaggerating their
proportions and breaking the standard notions of beauty. M. F. Husain, on the other hand, wanted to make the
modern style of painting understandable in Indian context. For example, he would paint using the western
expressionist brush strokes with bright Indian colours. He not only drew from Indian mythology and religious
sources but also from the style of miniature paintings, village crafts and even folk toys. As a result of successfully
combining a modern style of painting with Indian themes, Husain’s art came to eventually represent Indian
modern art in the international art world. Mother Teresa is an example to understand how he adapted modern
art to paint themes important to Indian, as well as, international audience.
Study of the following work of Contemporary (Modern) Indian Art
Sculpture
S No. Title Artist
1 Triumph of Labour - D. P. Roychowdhury
2 Santhal Family - RamkinkarVaij
3 Cries Un - heard – Amar Nath Sehgal
4 Ganesha - P.V. Janaki Ram
Triumph of Labour- D. P. Roychowdhury
Name- Triumph of Labour Artist- - D. P. Roychowdhury
Medium- Bronze Collection- NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART , NEW DELHI
SUBJECT MATTER– The monument is symbolic of human spirit that wins over hardships with united labour.it is brilliant study of four human figures with
rippling muscles ,their personal moment of intense physical effort, captured for the world to see and appreciate their daily sweat and labour for livelihood
.the sculpture is the focal point of May day celebrations as the first one was celebrated here.
Description –This is an extraordinarily realistic bronze sculptures made by
Devi Prasad Roy Chaudhary, a famous artist of Bengal school. The subject
matter of this sculptures is taken from the life of the common man of India.
In this composition, the artist has depicted ‘triumph of labour’ which means,
one remains alive and progressive in unity four laborers are shown busy in a
moving massive block with the help of wooden log by means of putting their
maximum efforts in some hilly area. These laborers are carved in perfect
anatomical body balance. this very strong muscles mirror their strength and
capability. they all are in semi-nude and their lively action are depicted
dynamic mobility of this statue. now, it is a collection of National Gallery of
Modern Art Gallery ,New Delhi.
Human Values –
@ Dignity of labour
@Teamwork and Coordination
Triumph of Labour, D. P. Roychowdhury
Santhal Family - Ram Kinker Vaij
Name- Santhal Family Artist- Ram Kinker Vaij
Medium- Cement and concrete Collection- Kala- Bhavana, Shanti Niketan
SUBJECT MATTER– Santhal family is a free-standing outdoor sculpture. It is a depiction of a tribal peasant family a man, a woman, a child and a dog.
Description –Santhal family is the major outdoor free-standing sculpture, made of cement and
concrete. It is a rough textured composition of Santhal couple with a child and a dog .it reflects
the Ram Kinker’s feeling and concern for the simplicity of the Santhal family. This work has the
tremendous energy and love of a movement. The figures and forms are naturalistic, dynamic and
earthy. It represents the internal emotion of Santhal family that is moving towards the new
destination after leaving their home in search of livelihood with hope and aspiration this
sculpture is installed on the road side in Kala- Bhavana Shanti Niketan and appears as if it is in
pace with every movement of the road and is also matching with the static peace of the
environment simultaneously.
Human Values –
@ Family as a unit,
@Practice family values of togetherness and faithfulness.
Santhal Family - Ram Kinker Vaij
Cries Unheard -Amar Nath Sehgal
Name- Cries Unheard Artist- Amarnath Sehgal
Medium- Bronze Collection- National Gallery of Modern art, New Delhi
SUBJECT MATTER– Contemporary socio- economic ills that plague India. themes of much of Sehgal’s
works primarily revolved around the importance of individual freedom and human dignity and his
response to the errors of political violence.
Description – In 1958 the sculpture ‘cries un-heard’ was awarded president of India’s ‘Gold plaque’ by
Lalit kala academy, new Delhi. this is a large size bronze statue done by well-known sculptor, Amarnath
Sehgal in 1958. This is a symbolic work in which three nude figures of a family are standing in a deep
anguish mood. they have glooming faces full of agony and distress. All the three elongated figures of
man, woman and child have hollow faces and their hands raised towards the sky in the helpless position.
the right hand of child is up while his left hand is shown in down posture. man, and child are looking up
but woman is looking down. they all are asking for the help from almighty god because no one is ready to
hear their protest in our society. the theme of this sculpture shows the injustice and exploitation done by
rich and powerful people. they are exploiting the weaker section of the society from long time. now it is a
collection of national gallery modern art, New Delhi
Human Values –
@ Care for poor and destitute,
@Need for economic equality in society so that basic needs are met.
Cries Unheard -Amar Nath Sehgal
Ganesha –P.V. Jankiram
Name- Ganesha Artist- P.V. Jankiram
Medium- Tin,Oxidised copper and Other Metals Collection- National Gallery of Modern art, New Delhi
SUBJECT MATTER– A modern abstract sculpture of Hindu god Ganesh.
Description – Ganesha is one of the best frontal sculptures of P. V. Jankiram. this is the finest work of his
repose work, done in oxidized copper sheets and wires. in this creation Ganesa is shown in six hands. he
is playing sitar with his upper two hands while his other four hands are holding Shankha, Gada, Padma
and Ankush in traditional style. He is wearing a spiritual crown and a halloo around is head. His face
expression has divine look. he has large ears. his face and broad trunk have been designed on the same
copper sheets. The posture of his both legs indicates that he is in dancing pose. The whole sculpture is
designed with copper wires of different gauge, folded copper sheets and welded small copper dots. Red
and yellow copper patches are shown on his right arm and below his knee on his leg’s extra beauty to the
sculpture. the smoothness of the surface, continuity of the form and ornamentation are nicely
maintained in it. Now it is a collection of national gallery of modern art, New Delhi.
Human Values –
@ Love for performing art
@Music as a means to feel the oneness with divine. Ganesha –P.V. Jankiram
Study of the following work of Contemporary (Modern) Indian Art
Paintings
S No. Title Artist
1 Rama Vanquishing the Pride of the Ocean Raja Ravi Varma
2 Mother and child Jamini Roy
3 Haldi Grinders Amrita Sher Gil
4 Mother Teresa M.F Hussain
Rama Vanquishing the Pride of the Ocean – Raja Ravi Varma
Name- Rama Vanquishing the Pride of the Ocean Artist- Raja Ravi Verma
Medium-Oil on Canvas Collection-
SUBJECT MATTER– Thus painting is based on an episode of Balmikis Ramayana. After preparing his
forces for invading Lanka to recover Sita Ram was held up by the sea and his army was separated
from Lanka. attempts to build a bridge by were failed by the angry ocean. Rama threatened that the
“Varuna” that he would destroy him if he didn’t allow the bridge to build. Only that this force could
cross the ocean to reach Lanka.
Description –This is the famous mythological painting of Raja Ravi Verma, painted on an important
episode of Valmiki Ramayana. He successfully seized this moment and paints its oil on canvas. This
painting shows the Rama’s anger at the ocean for his non-cooperation to give the way for Lanka. Rama
wanted to construct a temporary bridge over the ocean to reach Lanka with his force for bringing back
his wife Sita from Ravana custody. Rama threatened “Varuna” god of water that he was able to dry the
ocean from his bow and arrow. Varuna along with his wife speedily came forward and requested Rama
not to dry the ocean. Then he allowed angry Rama to build a bridge on the ocean. This is a realistic
painting with western colour treatment. The strong built of Rama is shown semi-nude in his fluttering
dhoti which depicts the strength of the wind blowing from the ocean. The sky is painted in dark colour.
The flow of sea wave is painted as they are striking back from heavy sea rocks. The rocks shown in the
foreground in dark brown colour brown blue yellow and peach colour are prominent in this
composition. now it is the collection of “chitrshala” Mysore.
Human Values –
@ Humility, ability to take and execute tough decisions
@ Mother and child- mother’s unconditional love, responsibility and care for children.
Three girls Rama Vanquishing the Pride of the Ocean, Raja Ravi Verma
@ Submission to the destiny and god’s will, sobriety
Mother and child
Name- MOTHER AND CHILD Artist- JAMINI ROY
Medium-GOUACHE ON PAPER Collection- NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART , NEW DELHI
SUBJECT MATTER– This painting depicts a mother holding her child. The subject matter matches totally with
the title of the painting.
Description – This Water colour tempera of mother and child was done by famous artist Jamini Roy from
Bengal in 1930.In this painting, a standing mother is holding her naked child with left hand on her left waist,
both of them have fish shaped open eyes bold eyebrows. The shape of their face looks like a cup and has cool
and calm expressions of love. They are decorated perfectly with white colour. mother’s right-hand palm is
red. She is wearing brown saree of green border decorated with black lines. On the left lower part of this
vertical work, a flowering stem of the plant is shown. The final decoration done in bold lines is very sharp.
Which makes whole composition very rhythmic and attractive. Perfect use of vermilion, yellow ochre brown
green blue black and white closures is giving extra look to this folk type painting this work resembles with Kali
ghat pat works now it is the collection of national gallery of modern art at New Delhi.
Human Values –
@ Mother’s unconditional Love
@ Responsibility and care for children
Mother and child, Jamini Roy
Haldi Grinders
Name- HALDI GRINDER Artist- AMRITA SHER-GIL Size- 76.5cmX102 cm
Medium-OIL ON CANVAS Collection- NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART , NEW DELHI
SUBJECT MATTER–The whole picture represents an actual setting of a village household. The women are
sitting and grinding Haldi in traditional way.
Description – Haldi Grinders made by Amrita Shergill due to many reasons. The great artist has done this
painting in the medium Acrylic/ Oil Painting on canvas. The painting belongs to the time periods 1940 A.D.
And was done in size 76.5 cm 102 cm. its courtesy is national Gallery of modern Art at new Delhi. In this
painting she has used her favourite colours like red yellow green brown etc. which fill a new visual reality in
the painting. The painting has deep sense of melancholy that finds expressions in the pensive faces of the
figure. in this painting a rural scene has been shown. the heads of these figure are covered with veils. The
three ladies are grinding Haldi. If we see minutely, one more female figure other than the three have been
shown behind a dominating tree in the foreground on the left side of the painting, on the right side the
second lady’s back has been shown only and her back is supported by another tree on right side of the
painting. While the third lady’s face is visible and she is on the left side ahead the tree. Amrita Shergill has
depicted the ladies with dark complexion. she has also shown the unhappy sad dejected poor and starving
women in such an expressive way. So, this painting has many good qualities in it to be liked by everyone.
Human Values –
@ Sobriety – the girls are sober and still look beautiful
@ Submission to the destiny and gods will
HALDI GRINDER ,AMRITA SHER-GIL
MOTHER TERESA
Name- MOTHER TERESA Artist- M.F.HUSSAIN Size- 56cmX36 cm
Medium-OIL ON CANVAS Collection- NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART , NEW DELHI
SUBJECT MATTER– This is one of the painting from Mother Teresa series by the artist .in his own words ‘she
was modern Madonna who embraced the poor and destitute as her own for she is a timeless figure. I will
never get tired of painting her.
Description – Mother Teresa is the well-known personality of the world. She is famous for his care, devotion
and love for the orphan and destitute. Husain painted this saintly woman in his style in oil on canvas in1988.
Husain divided the whole painting in three vertical parts by two conical pillars of yellow and light brown
colours. The central portion is larger than the left and right ones. in the left side, Mother Teresa is shown in
sitting posture. a child completely nude is shown in her lap in yellow ochre colour. mother is wearing yellow
Saree with blue border in a very special style of catholic churches. in this painting Husain painted her face More series:
featureless in dark tone. In the middle portion, two sisters or devotees of mother also having featureless
dark faces dressed up like mother are shown in white sarees one has raised her hands in blessing modes. a
reclining male figure in Indian red colour is lying in sister’s lap cornering the whole space of canvas from left
to right. His left leg is also in mother’s lap an attendant is touching his hand. The white veil of one of the
sisters is shown extended toward the right portion. Most of the colour look flat but the vibration of light and
dark tone is magically visible. Lines are bold, sharp and full of expression. Basically, this painting is Husain’s
gratitude to her nonparallel motherhood. Now it is a collection of national gallery of modern art, new Delhi.
Human Values –
@ Care for the poor and destitute
@ service before self- selflessness
@empathy to reach out to the needy and work for them MOTHER TYERESA, M.F.HUSSAIN
Study of the following work of Contemporary (Modern) Indian Art
GRAPHIC
S No. Title Artist
1 Children Somnath Hore
2 Devi Jyoti Bhatt
3 Of Walls Anupam Sud
4 Man, Woman and Tree K. Laxma Goud
Children
Name- CHILDREN Artist- SOMNATH HORE
Medium-ETCHING AND AQUATINT Collection- NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART , NEW DELHI
SUBJECT MATTER–This print is visualization of the artist’s emotional response to the pain and sufferings of
the poor and deprived – the wounded humanity .it is about the physical sufferings of the victimized and
wounded, with no hope of rescue in this world or the other..
Description – This black and white composition of etching with aquatint was done by famous print maker
artist Somnath Hore in 1958. Basically, theme of this work reflects the injustice to the innocent and poor
people of our society. This is a close-knit isolated composition of five standing members of a poor family. two
boys are standing closely with their mother. They are looking helplessly towards a girl standing in their right
side. This girl might be their whose back portion is visible. One front looking child is shown at the top of the
painting. The visible parts of his body are face and hands. All members are shown in torn clothing. A thread is
shown in the neck of the front standing boy. Their bloated stomach, large head, small faces, protruding eyes,
ribs of thorax and cheek bones are speaking out their inner restlessness and gushing wounds. The mother has
put her protective hand on their shoulders sympathetically. This much defined geometrical composition
represents the most vulnerable section of humanity. in totally, the whole aspect of the print mirrors the
sufferings of the poor. now it is a collection of national gallery of modern art, New Delhi.
Human Values – Children, SOMNATH HORE
@ Care for poor and destitute,
@ children must be taken care of so that they can see and bring a better future.
Devi
Name- DEVI Artist- JYOTI BHATT
Medium-ETCHING Collection- NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART , NEW DELHI
SUBJECT MATTER–The etching print shows Devi as a power worship and hidden power of Kundalini (a form of
feminine shakti or physical that we all possess). the yoga Upanishads describe that kundalini is lying coiled at
the base of our spine represented as either goddess or a sleeping serpent waiting to be awaked.
Description – Devi is an excellent imagoes deep etching work done by famous Indian graphic artist Jyoti
Bhatt. he creates an attractive texture of serpentine form in intaglio technique. This work is based on the
concept of kundalini power which lies in the “Mooladhar chakra” in all human beings. Any one of us can get
empowered with the power of this kundalini by meditation under the guidance of siddha guru. When this
power arises in the person, it generates the immense power to feel divine pleasure and light forever.
Jyoti Bhatt shows the female fertility power in the lower part of the composition and male power in the heart
of Devi. The spiritual grace of Devi is depicted by the two flowers shown on her cheeks. She is shown wearing
flowers in her ears. On her symbolically depicted right palm three words ‘pseudo’, ‘Tantrik’, kundalini is
written in English script while one word ‘Devi is written in Devanagari script. similarly, on her left palm the
artist has written his name in English and three words ‘Tantrik’, ‘ram- ram’, and’ “Shree’ in Devanagari script.
In the midst of the serpentine kundalini the word ram-ram is also written. On the fore head or the “Bhrikuti of
Devi” a brilliant vermillion colour Bindi makes It beautiful. Her large eyes resemble the image of goddess
Durga. now, it is a collection of national gallery of modern art, New Delhi.
Human Values – Devi, JYOTI BHATT
@ Importance of spiritual awakening,
@ union with divine as the ultimate aim.
Of Walls
Name- Of Walls Artist- ANUPAM SUD
Medium-ETCHING ON ZINC PLATE Collection- ALL INDIA FINE ART CRAFT SOCIETY , NEW DELHI
SUBJECT MATTER–This art work is a journey of this artist down her memory lane of childhood. The subject is
unconsciously lost in the mystery of time with nothing in particular but has a gliding image that has found
place in her creation. This work is often interpreted as a representation of poverty and loneliness. However,
for the artist it is more of personal moment.
Description – ‘Of Walls’ is the most symbolic and meaningful graphic work done by an experimental Indian
woman artist Anupam Sud in 1982. in this monochromatic lithography print, a woman is shown sitting on one
side. on her back there is a brick wall without plaster. she is in simple dress. her face is made dark to show
her sufferings. some folk type white line drawings are also drawn on this wall. In the fore ground lower
portion of a male figure in a perfect anatomical balance is shown near the woman who appears as if he were
in deep sleep or dead. some of the temples like structures are also visible from the back of the wall. this is the
powerful work against the inhuman rules of our society
Of Walls, ANUPAM SUD
Human Values –
@ Need for social equality
Man, Woman and Tree
Name- Man, Woman and Tree Artist- K. Laxma Goud
Medium-ETCHING ON ZINC PLATE Collection- NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART, NEW DELHI
SUBJECT MATTER–It is a depiction of village life basing on artist childhood memories of rural and tribal
liveliness. A native of an Andhra village the artist has presented a rustic version of a man a woman and a tree.
Description – ‘Man, woman and tree’ is one of the finest graphic prints of k. Laxma Goud. The print of this
etching and aquatint work is taken on a very smooth paper in which a couple is shown staring at each other in
the midst of beautiful shrubs. the man is shown partially hidden in the groove of three trees, standing in the
triangular queue. Only upper portion of his body is visible. a very simple, young woman is shown in a saree of
dotted prints. she is wearing a nose pin, a “Mangalsutra” and two bangles in each hand. three -fourth portion
of her body is shown in aqua colour. The fourth tree is shown behind her. the face expression of woman and
man are innocent and caring as if they were doing both real job of parenting nature. The message of this print
is again universal which narrates that the co -relation between human and nature must be maintained for the
survival of mankind. now it is a collection of national gallery of modern art, New Delhi.
Human Values –
@Harmony in relationship
@Love for nature. Man, Woman and Tree, K. Laxma Goud
Thankyou
