The Modern Trends in Indian Art (Theory)

Paper Code: 
VHA 223
Credits: 
4
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This paper attempts to trace the history that brought about an awareness of modernity in art in India, and the directions it has taken during the last 150 years or so. The development of various trends and directions, works of enlisted artistsand sculptors from the mid- nineteenth century till recent times, has been covered in this syllabus. The landmarks created by Raja Ravi Varma, the three tagores, and so on; Formation of various progressive groups of artists- a movement against Bengal school, various stylistic developments and the trends leading to the cult of ‘personal’ or ‘self’ expression, synthesis of Indian and Western approaches in the works, Indian art today, the midst of a continuum of responses to cultural traditions initaiated at the beginning of the 20th century.

 
12.00
Unit I: 

India witnessed the rise of Indian modern painting with the emergence of Raja Ravi Varma in the Indian art horizon, Raja Ravi Varma: Biography, Analysis of major works, Subject matter and Style of artworks in detail, His mythological theme with realistic style of west.

One of the most promising Indian artists of the pre-colonial era: Amrita Shergil- Biography including education and career, Analysis, Subject matter and Style of artworks in detail.

Jamini Roy, who developed a personal painting style inspired largely by traditional Indian folk and village arts- Biography, Subject matter, Style and theme of artworks, elitist approach of the Bengal School and robustness of Kalighat paintings, Critical analysis of his work.

 
14.00
Unit II: 

Multi-talented Tagores, the principal artists of the Bengal school: Abanindra Nath Tagore, Gaganendra Nath Tagore, Rabindra Nath Tagore – Tagores who sought to modernize Moghul and Rajput styles in order to counter the influence of Western models of art, as taught in Art Schools under the British Raj, Biography, Subject matter, Style and theme of artworks.

 

Nandlal Bose a noted Indian painter of Bengal school of art and foremost pupil of Abanindranath Tagore, Biography, Subject matter, Influences, New techniques, Style and theme of artworks, Haripura Congress posters in detail.

 
12.00
Unit III: 

Calcutta Group, the first group of modern artists in India, formed in 1943 in Kolkata: Nirodh Majumdar, Rathin Mitra, Gopal Ghosh and Paritosh Sen- Biography and Study of artworks in detail.

 
10.00
Unit IV: 

Bombay Progressive Artists Group: F.N. Souza, S.H. Raza, M.F. Hussain, K.H.Ara, K.K.Habber- Purely formalistic and colouristic preoccupied subject matter, new techniques and subject matter of artworks.

 
12.00
Unit V: 

The emergence of Delhi Shilpi Chakra symbolized the aspiration of young progressive artists in seeking different from Bengal school’s trend: Bhavesh Sanyal, Shailoj Mukherji, Ram Kumar.

Development in contemporary Indian Painting and Sculpture: K.G. Subramanyam, Gulam Mohd. Shaikh, Ramkinkar Baij, Dhanraj Bhagat, Sankho Choudhary, Somnath Hore.

 
References: 

Books:

  1. Asit Paul (Ed.), Woodcut Prints of Nineteenth Century Calcutta.

  2. Ravi Varma, New Perspectives, National Museum

  3. Ratan Parimoo, The art of the Three Tagores, M.S. University

  4. R. Siva Kumar, Santiniketan Murals, Seagull & Visva Bharati

  5. R. Siva Kumar, Santiniketan/The Making of a Contextual Modernism, National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi

  6. Geeta Kapur, Six Indian Artists

  7. K.G. Subramanyan, Moving Focus, Lalit Kala Akademi

  8. K.G. Subramanyan, Living Tradition, Seagull

  9. Neville Tuli, Flaming Mosaic

  10. Monographs on individual artists, Lalit Kala Akademi

  11. Jaya Appasamy, Introduction to Modern Indian Sculpture, Vikas Publications

 

Journals:

  1. Issues of Lalit Kala Contemporary

  2. Issues of Nandan 

 

Academic Year: 
2016-2017
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