Modern Indian Painting: Pan-Asianism and Global Interplay in the 20th Century

Pan-Asianism and Modernism intertwine in the 20th century, reflecting a complex interplay between cultural identity and global influences. The synergy of tradition and innovation within this paradigm offers a rich tapestry of ideas that transcend geographical boundaries.

Modern Indian Painting: Shaping Artistic Perspectives in the Colonial Era

• Art Division: The colonial art policy created a rift between proponents of the European academic style and advocates of the Indian style.
• Swadeshi Movement’s Influence: Post the 1905 Partition of Bengal, the Swadeshi movement reached its zenith, influencing art perspectives. 
  • Ananda Coomaraswamy, a notable art historian, penned articles on Swadeshi in art.
• Okakura and Pan-Asianism: Kakuzo Okakura, a Japanese nationalist visiting Rabindranath Tagore in Calcutta, introduced ideas of pan-Asianism, aiming to unite India with other eastern nations against Western imperialism.
  • Two Japanese artists who accompanied Okakura to Calcutta went on to teach the wash technique of painting in Shantiniketan, offering an alternative to Western oil painting.

Modern Indian Painting: Infusion of European Art in Calcutta, 1922

• 1922 stands out as the year when an exhibition featuring works by artists like Paul Klee and Kandinsky from the Bauhaus School in Germany was showcased in Calcutta.
• They rejected academic realism; these artists introduced abstract art elements like squares, circles, and colour patches to India, offering the nation its first direct exposure to such modern art.
• Gaganendranath Tagore: Gaganendranath Tagore, Abanindranath Tagore’s sibling, was influenced by the modern Western art style.
  • His paintings demonstrated the Cubist style, using geometric patterns to depict building interiors.
  • Additionally, he was known for his caricatures that humorously critiqued affluent Bengalis who blindly embraced European lifestyles.

Modern Indian Painting: Divergent Perspectives and Amrita Sher-Gil’s Fusion

• Perspectives on Modernism in Painting: Benoy Sarkar, a Bengali intellectual, aligned with Anglicists, perceived European modernism as authentic and the Bengal School of Art as regressive.
• Conversely, E. B. Havell, an Englishman, championed a return to native art as the path to genuine modern Indian art. 
  • His collaboration with Abanindranath Tagore is seen in this light.
• Amrita Sher-Gil exemplifies the melding of Western and Indian art perspectives. 
  • Drawing inspiration from styles showcased in the Bauhaus exhibition, she portrayed Indian scenarios. 

Modern Indian Painting: Colonialism vs. Nationalism

• Colonial Impact: Modern Indian art is shaped by the tension between colonial and nationalist influences.
• New Art Forms: Colonialism introduced novel art institutions: art schools, galleries, magazines, and societies.
• Distinct Indian Flair: Nationalist artists, while adapting to these novelties, emphasised a distinctly Indian flair in art, occasionally embracing a broader Asian identity.
• Influences Art: The clash between internationalism (borrowing ideas from the West) and indigeneity (staying true to native legacies and traditions) would persistently influence the trajectory of modern Indian art.

Modern Indian Painting: Bridging Tradition and Innovation

• India’s rich tapestry of art traces back to the evocative Mughal miniatures and the intricate details of Rajasthani paintings. These ancient styles, with their emphasis on grandeur and detailing, laid the foundation for artists like Raja Ravi Varma to merge Indian themes with European techniques. 

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