The Modern Trends in Indian Art (Theory)

Paper Code: 
24VHA223
Credits: 
5
Contact Hours: 
75.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The course will enable the students to demonstrate deep understanding about various Indian modern trends and techniques and analyze, interpret, and evaluate the form and content of work of art. They also Gain an understanding about the contribution of art in the development of society and culture.

 

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Course Outcomes

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

24VHA223

The Modern Trends in Indian Art (Theory)

CO40:  Explain and critical analyse the works of Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Shergil, and Jamini Roy.

 

CO41: Summarize and interpret artworks of Rabindranath Tagore, Gaganendra Nath Tagore, Abanindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose.

 

CO42: Develop analytic and critical skills and an artistic sensitivity to contemplate Calcutta Group artists and their works.

 

CO43:  Revise and build an opinion to categorise the Bombay Progressive Artists and their works.

 

CO44:   Theorize and interpret Delhi Shilpi Chakra; contemporary Indian painters and sculptors.

 

CO45:  Contribute effectively in course-specific interaction.

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Demonstration of writing and visualizing.

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, presentation, Giving writing tasks.

Continuous Assessment Test, Semester end examination, Quiz, Solving Problems in Tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual And Group Projects      

 

 

COURSE CONTENT:

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 artists and 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 initiated at the beginning of the 20th century.

 

15.00
Unit I: 
Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Shergil, Jamini Roy

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.

15.00
Unit II: 
Rabindranath Tagore, Gaganendra Nath Tagore, Abanindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose

Multi-talented Tagores, the principal artists of the Bengal school: Abanindranath Tagore, Gaganendra Nath Tagore, Rabindranath 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. Nandalal 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.

 

15.00
Unit III: 
Calcutta Group

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.

 

15.00
Unit IV: 
Bombay Progressive Artists Group

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.

 

15.00
Unit V: 
Delhi Shilpi Chakra and Contemporary Indian Painter and Sculptor

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.

 

Essential Readings: 
  1. Asit Paul (Ed.), Woodcut Prints of Nineteenth Century Calcutta.
  2. The Triumph of Modernism: India’s Artists and the Avant-Garde, 1922-1947: Partha Mitter
  3. Contemporary Art in India, A Perspective : Pran Nath Mago
  4. Ravi Varma, New Perspectives, NationalMuseum
  5. Ratan Parimoo, The art of the Three Tagores, M.S.University
  6. R. Siva Kumar, Santiniketan Murals, Seagull &Visva Bharati
  7. R. Siva Kumar, Santiniketan/The Making of a Contextual Modernism, National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi

Suggested Reading:

  1. Geeta Kapur, Six Indian Artists
  2. K.G. Subramanyan, Moving Focus, Lalit Kala Akademi
  3. K.G. Subramanyan, Living Tradition, Seagull
  4. Neville Tuli, Flaming Mosaic
  5. Monographs on individual artists, Lalit Kala Akademi
  6. Jaya Appasamy, Introduction to Modern Indian Sculpture, Vikas Publications
  7. When Was Modernism Essays on Contemporary Cultural Practice in India by Geeta Kapur
References: 
  1. https://criticalcollective.in/ArtistGInner2.aspx?Aid=224&Eid=199
  2. https://nios.ac.in/media/documents/sec225new/Lesson-9.pdf
  3. http://kg-subramanyan.com/
  4. https://www.saffronart.com/artists/k-g-subramanyan
  5. http://poetry.sangamhouse.org/2015/01/gulam-mohammed-sheikh/
  6. https://www.veethi.com/india-people/ghulam_mohammed_sheikh-profile-9913-42.htm
  7. https://indianartideas.in/blog/modern-art/contemporary-art-in-india-a-brief-modern-history
  8. https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/bhupen-khakhar
  9. https://ignca.gov.in/invitations/Lecture_15032013.pdf
  10. https://www.artshoppy.com/blog/post/the-calcutta-group-makers-of-modern-indian-art.html
  11. https://criticalcollective.in/ArtistGInner.aspx?Aid=175
  12. http://www.ngmaindia.gov.in/virtual-tour-of-abanindranath-tagore.asp

 

Academic Year: 
2024-2025
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