THE MODERN INDIAN ART
The establishment of art schools in major cities during the late 19th century was part of the British strategy to civilise Indians. These schools primarily taught art forms that reflected Victorian tastes and sensibilities. The art that was promoted was influenced by European styles, and traditional Indian art was often side-lined or moulded to fit European tastes. This Western-centric approach was met with resistance, notably by the Bengal School of Art.
The Bengal School, founded by Abanindranath Tagore and E.B. Havell, emerged as a countermovement against this colonial bias. Situated within the larger nationalist movement, the Bengal School sought to revive traditional Indian art forms and techniques. It was rooted in indigenous traditions, drawing inspiration from Mughal and Pahari miniatures as well as the Ajanta frescoes, while aiming to be meaningful for the Indian populace.
Shantiniketan, established by Rabindranath Tagore, went a step further by integrating the Bengal School’s ethos into its art department, Kala Bhavana. This institution sought to cultivate an art form that was not just anti-colonial but also uniquely Indian, marking a significant departure from both traditional Indian and European styles.
The period post-WWI was one of significant global change, and the art world was no exception. The Bauhaus exhibition in Calcutta and the circulation of European art magazines introduced Indian artists to contemporary Western art movements like Cubism and Expressionism. This allowed for a hybridisation of styles and ideologies.