As we trace Bhanu Athaiya’s creative journey back to her roots in Kolhapur, we uncover a fascinating commonality between her, M.V. Dhurandhar, and John Lockwood Kipling. All three artists celebrated the essence of Indian life and craftsmanship, particularly through their depictions of fakirs and artisans. The vibrant cultural atmosphere of Kolhapur and the influence of the J.J. School of Art shaped their artistic expressions, intertwining their legacies in a shared reverence for traditional Indian craftsmanship that continues to resonate in Athaiya's iconic work.
Kolhapur was the epicenter of artistic and cultural innovation. The princely state of Kolhapur under Shahu Maharaja’s reign was an open playground for artisans, painters, and early filmmakers, fostering the vibrant creative environment that would shape Bhanu Athaiya into India’s first Oscar winner and a trailblazing modernist artist. Her father Annasaheb Rajopadhye, a self-taught artist, introduced her to the world of European masters like Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and Turner, setting the foundation for her lifelong passion for art.
Though Bhanu lost her father at the age of 9, the artistic legacy he left behind, with the vibrant cultural atmosphere of Kolhapur, profoundly influenced her. Kolhapur was home to renowned artists such as Abalal Rehman, M.V. Dhurandhar, and Baburao Painter. Abalal Rehman was the first artist from Kolhapur to join the prestigious J.J. School of Art (est. 1857). Speaking of the J.J School of Art, one cannot forget John Lockwood Kipling, an important figure in shaping Indian art education. Lockwood spent over a decade teaching at JJ. Kipling from 1865 - 1875, and was one of the first principals of the school. His influence at J.J. included fostering a curriculum that celebrated local artisans while introducing students to Western methods of drawing, painting, and sculpture. Kipling encouraged his students to draw inspiration from India’s rich cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of integrating traditional Indian craftsmanship with European artistic techniques. His teachings centered on the importance of Indian decorative arts, promoting pottery, metalwork, woodcarving, and textile design within the academic framework. Kipling’s fascination with documenting Indian craftsmen, street art, and daily life is reflected in his drawings, such as his well-known depictions of fakirs, potters, and artisans at work. This emphasis on capturing the essence of Indian life continued to shape the artistic tradition at J.J
Drawing, John Lockwood Kipling, 1870, India. Museum no. 0929:56/(IS). © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
As we continue to explore the legacy of artists and educators at J.J., M.V. Dhurandhar, who joined the school in 1890, was another pivotal figure. He eventually became the headmaster and left a profound impact on art education, encouraging his students to embrace both academic realism and Indian cultural themes. Dhurandhar, much like Kipling, focused on documenting the daily lives of Indian people in his art. His paintings of craftsmen, fakirs, and other figures from Indian society echoed the tradition of blending realism with cultural documentation, which became a hallmark of J.J. School.
M.V. Dhurandhar's painting on a billboard outside J.J. School
Bhanu Athaiya, who recalls having seen Dhurandhar’s works displayed in the Kolhapur Palace in her handwritten notes; absorbed these influences into her creative journey. The commonality between these particular works of Kipling, Dhurandhar, and Bhanu Athaiya lay in their attention to detail and their reverence for Indian life and craftsmanship.
Bhanu Athaiya, Untitled (Fakir), Circa 1950
Observe the striking resemblance of the beards in all three paintings. These artworks—depicting fakirs, craftsmen, and everyday scenes—serve not merely as artistic expressions but as cultural records. This tradition is echoed in Bhanu Athaiya's painting titled Fakir, which also captures the essence of these cultural narratives. Bhanu captures the same Indian sensibilities in her inimitable work as a costume designer for cinema.
This blend of academic techniques with Indian cultural subjects formed the backbone of J.J. School’s artistic tradition, and it became an integral part of Bhanu’s creative DNA. As we look at her life and work, it is clear that the artistic legacy she grew up with in Kolhapur, coupled with the influence of J.J. School’s ethos, played a significant role in shaping her into the iconic artist and costume designer we remember today.
