In the blossoming of modern Indian painting, among those nurtured under the tutelage of the revered master Abanindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose emerged as the foremost figure and a trailblazer. He devoted his entire life to the serene practice of restraint, patience and unwavering dedication to the pursuit of art.
Nandalal’s multifaceted talent and diverse creative prowess are amply showcased in the repository of culture. There exists no realm of art that remained untouched by his genius. In Rabindranath Tagore’s dance dramas, the visual splendor of costumes, colors, decor and the elegance of the stage design were all masterfully crafted by Shilpacharya Nandalal Bose. Neither in his creation nor in his way of life did a trace of arrogance or boastfulness ever manifest. Those who have had the privilege of being in his presence will surely attest to how effortlessly one might have been graced by the blessings of this celebrated artist.
Manuscript of Rathin Maitra's Short Note on Nandalal Bose (Part 1)
Manuscript of Rathin Maitra's Short Note on Nandalal Bose (Part 2)
Last Part of the Manuscript
At the core of his artistic pursuit were restraint, perseverance, and devotion. In the realm of contemporary art movement, there is a lingering note of contention, marked by a heated sense of empty, inconsequential rebellion and denial. There is a tendency to disregard the entire artistic legacy of predecessors along with this. However, to these modern artists, my appeal is that if they at least develop a mindset to respectfully revisit the creations of Nandalal Bose, they will discover the vastness, diversity, elegance and modernity in his artistry.
Today, we have come together to pay homage to Shilpacharya Nandalal Bose. All who have assembled here today are luminaries, each a discerning connoisseur, deeply attuned to the beauty and essence of their respective domains. We expect to hear a great deal from them. However, it seems to me today that we have fallen short in offering the proper tribute to the profound legacy of artistic splendor that we have inherited.
Yet today it resonates within me repeatedly - Have we truly offered the fitting tribute to the magnificent legacy of artistic grandeur that this great artist has bequeathed to us?
Rathin Maitra
Related Items in Auction
Lot#7 || NANDALAL BOSE (1992 - 1966) SATI
Lot#4 || Pamphlet on Ornamental Art - 1940 - Authored by Nandalal Bose
