Today, my mind drifts back to the evocative days of the 1930s. My journey through Art School was still unfinished in those days, with lessons yet to unfold. During those days, a small circle of us artist-friends would often set out together, sketchpads in hands, to capture the world outdoors through sketching once classes were over.
One day, at Photo Society’s Haradhan Babu’s place in Dharmatala, I met two artists. It was Haradhan Babu himself who introduced us. One was Abani Sen and the other was Shri Gobardhan Ash. Both were students of the renowned artist Atul Bose.
Atul Bose was deeply revered by all the students. One more thing that stirred a deep sense of dissatisfaction within our hearts was the bitter reality that we never had the privilege of studying under Shri Atul Bose at the Art School. Therefore, I eagerly tried to build up a friendship with these two, seeking the inspiration and guidance their company could offer. At that time Abani Sen was deeply engrossed in sketching the forms of horses, buffalos and cows. And Gobardhan Babu focused on people and surrounding landscapes. One thing that struck me was Gobardhan Babu’s quest to penetrate beneath the surface, exploring the deep essence of everything he encountered.
Gobardhan Ash's Old Eden Garden Painting, 1940
He is extremely fortunate in one way, having had the opportunity to be in the company of the renowned artist Atul Bose until his last days and having gained much from him, particularly his patience, self-confidence and fortitude. Using these three virtues as his foundation he has surmounted numerous hurdles in the harsh reality and still stands today, unwavering and noble, with his head held high. Yet, he never went to a newspaper office or to art critics, sounding his own trumpet.
Thus, he remains perhaps less familiar to the artists of this era. He has created innumerable artworks, exploring diverse mediums to depict his faces in various ways. Sometimes radiant, sometimes contemplative, at times a mind shattered by storms, and so on. At times, even disheartened. In a country ravaged by the disasters of the 1943 war, famine and other crises, a group of artists known as the Calcutta Group emerged to promote humanity through art. Toward the end, Shri Ash became a member of this group. From this time onward, his creations began to evoke a distinctive aura of individuality.
Then he remained absorbed in himself, secluded from society for a long time, immersed in his art. One of his lesser-known unique talents is the renovation of aged, timeworn paintings, breathing new life into their faded beauty. I know that. Atul Babu has often told me about Gobardhan Babu’s skill in this regard, and several famous oil paintings aged 150 to 200 years have been brought back to life by his hands. This rare skill is confined to only a few people in our country. To excel in this specialized work, one must not only be a skilled artist but also possess some knowledge of science and technology. He has mastered both these through his experience and dedication.
About 7-8 months ago, a grand solo exhibition was held at the Academy of Fine Arts. It provided a glimpse of his artistic creations from various periods.
Artist Shri Gobardhan Ash is a realist with deep empathy for life. In modern painting, the trend of creating images with the irrelevant touch of American style is often observed, but his creations are entirely free of this influence. He continues to paint quietly, illuminated by his own convictions.
I offer my reverence to him in this twilight of his life, wishing him the gift of healthy and long journey ahead.
Rathin Maitra
