Shamit Khemka

The heritage of Indian painting extends time immemorial. As records of time and existence of several dynasties whose rise and fall the nation has witnessed, Indian paintings present a vivid description of the evolution and history of the country. The paintings and their distinguished forms span across petroglyps (some of which are older than 5500 BC, gracing the walls of prehistoric caves) to modern art pieces, representing fusion of the western thoughts with delicate curves and lines of Indian art form.

The road travelled so far

From the prehistoric rock paintings, petroglyphs found in the Bhimbetka (in Bhopal), and frescos decorating the walls of Ajanta and Ellora to modern art forms taking birth at the Bengal School of Art in 1930 – Indian paintings present a vivid manifestation that essay the grandeur and diversity of the great nation.

Expressions depicting liberation, societal and political condition, religious rites and humdrum of daily life personify the works of modern Indian artists like FN Souza, MF Hussein, and their predecessors like Jamini Roy, Nandalal Bose, Abanindranath Tagore Raja Ravi Varma, as well as others from distant past.

Amidst the growing influence of the western culture and beliefs, Indian artists retained their own flavor either by following country’s own artistic school of thought or making expressions that embodied a confluence of western and classical Indian forms, lines and curves.

In the coming days, I would try to provide you a brief about some of the prominent Indian painters.

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