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Art and Dissent in the 1940s

The 1940s were a decade of political urgency and artistic transformation in India—especially in Bombay, where anti-colonial movements, Marxist cultural activism, and encounters with European émigrés sparked a radical new visual language. As the Quit India Movement mobilized students and artists alike, figures like P.C. Joshi and Mulk Raj Anand rallied for an art that was politically engaged and socially conscious. The Progressive Writers’ Association, the Calcutta Group, and the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) all shaped a cultural climate where art and resistance were deeply intertwined.

F.N. Souza: A Timeline

This timeline traces the life and work of Francis Newton Souza (1924–2002), mapping the personal losses, political upheavals, and artistic milestones that shaped one of modern India’s most radical and uncompromising painters. Born in colonial Goa and raised between Bombay and Saligao, Souza’s early years were marked by rebellion—against convention, religious orthodoxy, and artistic mediocrity.

Jamini Roy's Influence: A Critique by Shahid Suhrawardy on the First Exhibition of the Calcutta Group

On 17th March 1945, Shahid Suhrawardy, the art critic for the esteemed daily The Statesman, wrote a critique on the first exhibition of the Calcutta Group - a collective of eight young artists whose motto was that “Art should be international and inter-dependent”.

Jamini Roy's Influence: A Critique by Shahid Suhrawardy on the First Exhibition of the Calcutta Group

Rathin Maitra’s American Sojourn: Chronicles of Art and Culture

Today, I will share a few words about my experiences in America with you all. Naturally, it is not possible to talk about everything related to this vast country in such a brief period of time.

Rathin Maitra’s American Sojourn: Chronicles of Art and Culture

Artistic Legacy: Rathin Maitra's Reflection on Nandalal Bose

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.

Artistic Legacy: Rathin Maitra's Reflection on Nandalal Bose

Writings On Art by Rathin Maitra

Art is regarded as a part of culture, but it is important to remember that there are other components as well, such as the education system, social control, political structure, economy, religious belief and so on. Due to the interrelationship of these elements, art cannot be judged in isolation. Art is molded by the social, economic and political milieu.

Rathin Maitra on Gobardhan Ash: Powerful Artist Inconspicuous from Public Eye

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.

Rathin Maitra on Gobardhan Ash: Powerful Artist Inconspicuous from Public Eye

Last Page of “Ardhashatavarshe Academy of Fine Arts” (Fifty years of AFA) by Kamal Sarkar

I have generally seen her (Lady Ranu Mookerjee) become active by relying on the Academy since 1950. Lady Ranu was then a member of the Sahitya Chakra 'Rabibasar’, At that time, she also held the position of the president of the Academy of Fine Arts.

Last Page of “Ardhashatavarshe Academy of Fine Arts” (Fifty years of AFA) by Kamal Sarkar

Calcutta Group Formation - Notes from Shanu Lahiri's book

Shanu Lahiri was Nirode Majumdar's sister and reminisces here about the formation of the Calcutta group in her book ' Smritir Collage' . The quotes and translations are from the same.

Calcutta Group Formation - Notes from Shanu Lahiri's book

Formation of the Calcutta Group - Anushtup Archives

The text translates pages from an article in Anushtup, a leftist journal that documents the beginnings of the Calcutta group and their Bombay affiliations via P.C. Joshi et al.

Formation of the Calcutta Group - Anushtup Archives

Letter from Shubho Tagore to Rathin Maitra - The beginnings of the Calcutta Group

The first of the transcripts documenting the formation of the 'Calcutta Group' , a letter dated March 1942 written by Subho Tagore in Calcutta to Rathin Maitra in Pabna foreseeing a vision in creating something to illuminate the nation's art!

Letter from Shubho Tagore to Rathin Maitra - The beginnings of the Calcutta Group

My Reminiscences of Rathin Maitra - Partha Mitter

I pen here a few words about the remarkable artist Rathin Maitra. I knew Rathin Maitra by reputation as one of the luminaries of the Calcutta (present Kolkata) art scene. But I met Rathin Maitra for the first time in the 1950s at the Academy of Fine Arts in Calcutta.

My Reminiscences of Rathin Maitra - Partha Mitter

Gobardhan Ash Retrospective Exhibition (1929 - 1969)

Prinseps presents the Gobardhan Ash Retrospective (1929 - 1969) at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity—a captivating journey into the profound artistic legacy of Gobardhan Ash, a luminary of Indian modern art. From March 29th to April 21st, visitors are invited to explore this exhibition, which offers a comprehensive examination of Ash's pioneering contributions to the artistic landscape. Spanning four decades, it provides a glimpse into the creative genius that defined his remarkable career. Click here for a virtual tour of the exhibition.

Gobardhan Ash Retrospective Exhibition (1929 - 1969)

Context and the Continuum

As we prepare for the exhibitions of Gobardhan Ash and Rathin Maitra, we have realised that the context and continuum of the modernist movement around the 1940s are somehow forgotten. We strive to bring them to light with the hope of more research and discussions. (Refer here) This write-up focuses on Calcutta and Bombay.

Focusing on Modernism in Indian Art in the early 20th century

At Prinseps, we are working to change the discourse to redefine the critical period for modernism in India as the first half of the 20th century. Though academia reiterates the same, the art trade seems to have strayed with a focus on the later part of the 20th century. The early 20th century witnessed the uprising of major art movements questioning the status quo.

Focusing on Modernism in Indian Art in the early 20th century

A page from Gobardhan Ash's diary

I sit staring into the blank canvas. My mind is unfettered, reaching out to embrace the world. All these shapes and scenes flit lucidly through my head, some familiar, others, I know not. Speaking of Modern Art, I must emphasise the fact that the art being created these days, cannot simply be labeled as Indian Art.

Rathin Maitra: A Founder Modernist

Rathin Maitra and Subho Tagore established the Calcutta Group, along with other founder members, which gained widespread recognition in India for its influential contribution to modern Indian painting much before the Progressives.

A note by Gobardhan Ash on The Children Series

For ten long years, ━ I drew and painted several studies on children. This culminated in one final painting, dubbed Commander-in-Chief, complemented by oil paintings and sketches of children in myriad moods and postures in pen and ink, and in pencil. It was common practice in the olden days for eminent painters in the West to sketch or paint studies on a single subject for 20-30 years. Many of these are now celebrated artworks. Such dedication is rare indeed in painters in this country.

A note by Gobardhan Ash on The Children Series

The history behind the Art Rebel Centre (1933) by Gobardhan Ash

Art Rebel Centre, founded in 1933, was formed and led by Gobardhan Ash, Annada Dey, and Bhola Chatterjee. Subsequently, some of those invited to submit their work in exhibitions accepted membership. These include Lalit Chandra, Haridas Ganguly, Samar Dey, Amar Dasgupta, Sachin Das, Kalikinkar Ghoshdastidar, Khagen Roy, and Suren Dey, among others. Manoj Bose and Rabi Bose became members too, despite not providing paintings for exhibitions. The following is a brief history of how Art Rebel Centre came to be.

The history behind the Art Rebel Centre (1933) by Gobardhan Ash

Young Artists' Union (1931) - Continued ...

The founders and organisers of the artist organisation, Young Artists’ Union (1931) were - Gobardhan Ash, Ananda Dey and Digin Bhattacharya. Those who were later invited to submit their artwork for the exhibition and became members by submitting their paintings include Kalikinkar Ghosh Dastidar, Suren Dey, Sachin Das, Pankaj Basu and others.

Young Artists' Union (1931) - Continued ...