V S Gaitonde was one of the pioneers of abstract expression in India contemporary art. But unlike MF Husain or S H Raza, Gaitonde remained almost missing in the cloud of obscurity. He shunned his parents, sisters and most of the relatives and settled in Delhi. He lived a quiet life of solitude. But why?
F N Souza's paintings were disturbingly engaging. But why? What was the driving force that made him paint the way he painted?
Sayed Haider Raza, an artist from the Progressive Artist Group of Bombay, proved himself to be master on the world of art. He is known largely for his Bindu. The dot. He had denied any connection with Tantrik Art. But what was the driving force behind his unique expressions?
One of the most enigmatic and controversial artist in Indian History, Maqbool Fida Husain, had left an indelible mark in the world of art. But still, even this day, his name is clouded by negative sentiment thanks to the fanatics in Hindu politics. Many galleries are nervous about displaying his works. Art gallery owners often whisper, 'Let us avoid Husain. It brings trouble.' The amazing skill and depth in M F Hussain's paintings have no parallel in the history of modern art yet most of us do not even know who the man was really. This episode is an attempt to capture the spirit of his art and character.
Abstract expression is not that abstract really! It does not sound convincing. But knowing the background and origin of abstract expression clears the cloud of confusion. Paintings by Wassily Kandinsky, Mark Rothko or Jackson Pollock begin to speak volumes. They do not seem to be random riot of color on canvas. One gets access to the mysterious matrix of abstraction.
Abstract Expressionism shot to fame in a blink in the 40s. Artists like Jackson Pollock turned into mythical hero with unprecedented rapidity. But there was an invisible force acting in the backyard. It was CIA. The Central Intelligence Agency of the United States. The funds that propelled the publicity of Abstract Expressionism, came from CIA. But why? And what about the legendary artists in Indian context? How S H Raza, V S Gaitonde, Krishan Khanna or Ramkumar were influenced by this elaborate propaganda by CIA?
Second world war did not only affect the west but also the east in equal ferocity and violence. In Bengal itself three million people died. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose almost succeeded in evicting the colonial power from Indian soil but failed. In this backdrop of destruction and death, rose the Calcutta school of artists like a phoenix from the ashes.
Amrita Sher Gil was a narcissist. They say so. But was it only that? Was it some other reason that prompted the artist to be sexually rebellious and also defiant to every social custom? In this episode, we shall take a plunge into the mystery of the enigmatic artist whose death too left a blank void! Who was this legend of Indian modern art?
Why did Amrita Sher Gil painted the way way she did? There had been strange alienation in the characters she painted. On the surface, they look like plain depiction of women figures but as we look deeper, layers of mystery show up. During such a brief spell of just twenty eight years, Amrita Sher Gil presented the world an oeuvre incomparable to many artists until this day. What was the driving force behind her strange depictions?
A poor young artist from a village of Bengal remained in close contact with Jamini Roy for almost two decades. His name was Basanta Jana. Jamini Roy kept most of his paintings. Both had almost identical style. But Basanta Jana's paintings almost vanished from record! What really happened?
Jamini Roy is one of the most famous artist even this day in Indian world of modern art. But did he paint anything new? Did he set a new movement in motion? What prompted him to paint in the folk style? Was it his deep concern for the neglected and dying art form of the Santhal Tribes or Kalighat Patuas or a pure quest for a winning strategy for the market?
Rabindranath Tagore began to paint at the age of 67. Long after he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Until then he did not paint beyond the doodles on his manuscripts. But when he painted, he demolished every rule and convention in place. His paintings opened a radically new horizon in Indian art. But there were mysterious elements in his color palette. This episode talks about the mystery behind the legend's artistic creations.
Gaganendranath Tagore, nephew of the legendary poet, Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, was a great artist. In some section of art lovers in India, he is taken for a cubist. But did he indulge in cubism? Why do we know him? Is it only because of his wonderful paintings and cartoons or there was some other aspect too?
Abanindranath Tagore, the nephew of the legendary poet Rabindranath Tagore, brought in a radical change in the style of art in the early twentieth century India. Even if in today's context, his paintings appear to be old fashioned and less appealing, his turning away from the western perspective driven art was a shocking creative rebellion at that time. This episode talks about the Bengal School of art that shaped the form of Indian Art for ever.
After the death of Raja Ravi Varma, entered the Bengal School. But Bengal School did not celebrate the art of the British. It fell back on the Mughal Art. Bengal school came up with an original art form of India. But what prompted the flag bearers of Bengal school to revolt against the colonial art forms? What made them the rebels of art? What made the legendary Tagore family the breeding ground of revolutionary world views?
One tight slap by Siraj Ud-Daulah changed the course of history in India and British colonialism began! The would-be-Nawab slapped the great Marwari Banker, Jagat Seth in a fit of anger and the revenge of the Banking community invited the East India Company to settke score.
From the status of struggling merchants, East India Company turned into a tenant of the Mughal land in India. Hardly a thousand rupees per year! And a secret intelligence report made some anonymous man at some faraway port landed at the table of the British officials. Even if innocent occurrences apparently, yet these two events transformed formed history of a sub-continent.
East India Company was just a bunch of merchants looking for a living by buying and selling goods like any private company opening an outlet round the corner. But how is it that such insignificant Englishmen ended up colonizing and entire sub continent? This episode is about history, not art history. But it is important to understand the fabric of British India before we dig into the anatomy of art during that period. In this episode, the values of currency mentioned are based on the current value of Pound.
Ravi Varma was a phenomenon who turned into a runaway success during his lifetime. Among a lot of company artists educated in the art colleges established by the British, Ravi Varma stood out in the crowd with his distinctive creations. He is a household name even this day. But why? What did he do differently? Moreover, does it make sense doing it today? If an artist paints like he did, will she be as famous as Ravi Varma became?
While there is a general perception among most Indians that the British stripped the country of its riches during its two hundred years of colonial rule, was there some priceless contributions too in their part that made Indians what they are in the following days?
