Malcolm Rivera
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, providing a framework for governing the world's largest democracy. It is not just a legal document but also a work of art, with 22 hand-painted illustrations that showcase the country's rich heritage and history. The paintings were conceived and implemented by artist-pedagogue Nandalal Bose and his team of students, which included five women artists. The illustrations depict different periods in Indian history, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the freedom struggle, with scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose.
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What You'll Learn
Nandalal Bose led the design process
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, providing a framework for governing the world's largest democracy. It is a consolidation of laws and regulations, a repository of art, and a glimpse into India's rich tradition and culture. The document is a handwritten, illustrated manuscript adorned with ornamented borders and illustrations.
Nandalal Bose, a master artist from Shantiniketan, led the design process for the Indian Constitution. He was chosen by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, to adorn the Constitution with his unique artistry. Bose was a direct disciple of Rabindranath Tagore and was Gandhi's favoured artist of choice. He was part of the Bengal School of Art, which aimed to depart from colonial art forms. As a young artist, he was deeply influenced by the murals of the Ajanta Caves, which he spent months copying in 1909. Later, he borrowed from these murals for the borders and motifs of the Constitution's pages. He also drew inspiration from popular forms, both urban and rural, Hindu and Muslim, and studied ink and brush painting in China and Japan.
Bose carefully selected a team of artists, including his students from Kala Bhavan, to create twenty-two unique illustrations for the manuscript. Among this talented group were five women artists: Gauri Bhanja, Jamuna Sen, Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, and Bani Patel. Each artist left their mark on the historic endeavour, with Bose's daughter Gauri illustrating the Chola Bronze Nataraja, and another student, Dinanath Bhargava, sketching the National Emblem. The illustrations were created using indigenous techniques, with influences from the country's history, legends, and epics, and arranged chronologically to represent India's journey and heritage.
The illustrations in the Indian Constitution showcase the country's geographical diversities and landscapes, with the mighty Himalayas in the backdrop. They highlight the country's rich tradition and culture, with scenes from the lives of Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, Shivaji, Guru Gobind Singh, and more. The artistic splendour of the Constitution reflects Nandalal Bose's leadership in the design process, resulting in a document that is not only a legal framework but also a work of art.
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Beohar Rammanohar Sinha illustrated the Preamble
Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, born on 15 June 1929, was an Indian artist renowned for his illustrations in the original manuscript of the Indian Constitution, which was finalised in 1949. He came from a family with a strong nationalist background, as his father, Beohar Rajendra Sinha, was a prominent Gandhian, scholar, historian, theologian, and journalist who actively participated in the Indian independence movement.
Sinha's artistic talent and dedication significantly contributed to the visual expression of India's foundational document. He was part of a team of artists led by Nandalal Bose, a pioneer of modern Indian art and a key figure in contextual modernism. Sinha, as the senior-most and favourite disciple of Nandalal Bose, played a pivotal role in creating the illustrations for the Constitution. He initially refused to sign his artworks in the Constitution but eventually acquiesced to his mentor's insistence, ensuring that future generations would recognise and celebrate the artist behind the ornamentation of the document.
Sinha's illustrations in the Constitution, including the complete preamble-page, are a testament to his mastery of Indian art. To ensure his artwork authentically represented the essence of Indian culture, he embarked on exploratory journeys to the cradles of pure Indian art, such as Ajanta, Ellora, Bagh, Badami, Sanchi, Sarnath, and Mahabalipuram. From these inspirations, he incorporated summary motifs like Padm, Nandi, Airavata, Vyaghra, Ashwa, Hans, and Mayur to symbolically capture the spirit of the Indian Constitution pictorially.
Sinha's contributions extended beyond the Constitution. He promoted Indian art in the Far East and introduced Oriental Art to India, becoming a cultural ambassador for the nation. His works are housed in prestigious public and private collections worldwide, and his murals continue to adorn the walls and dome of the historic Shaheed-Smarak (Martyrs'-Memorial Auditorium) in Jabalpur. The recognition he received during his lifetime, including the Kala Shri Award in 2001 and the Veteran Artist Award in 1993, attest to his artistic prowess and impact on Indian art and culture.
Through his illustrations for the Preamble, Beohar Rammanohar Sinha not only enhanced the visual appeal of the Indian Constitution but also helped transform it into a symbol of India's identity, unity, and ambition, leaving an enduring legacy for generations to come.
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The illustrations showcase India's history, legends and geography
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, providing a framework for governing the world's largest democracy. It is a consolidation of laws and regulations, but it is also a repository of art, reflecting the country's rich tradition, culture, and history. The illustrations in the document take inspiration from the country's history, legends, and geography.
The illustrations in the Indian Constitution showcase the diverse geography of India, from camels marching in the desert to the mighty Himalayas. They also depict natural features like the Indian sea and the three water bodies it has access to – the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean. The illustrations are placed in chronological order, starting from the first civilization of India – the Indus Valley Civilization, and moving towards the struggle for independence.
The artists who worked on the illustrations drew inspiration from various sources, including the ornate designs of the Ajanta and Bagh Caves, Chola art, Deccani miniature, and poster art of the 19th and 20th centuries. The illustrations also showcase the philosophical dimension of the Constitution, with influences from the country's legends and epics, such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The first part of the Constitution features the popular Indus Valley seal-mark, the bull. Part I, on States and Union Territories, is represented by India's Vedic Age, with a painting of a Vedic Ashram – Gurukul. Part 3, on fundamental rights, depicts a scene from the Ramayana – the Conquest of Lanka and the recovery of Sita by Rama and Lakshman. Part 13, on trade and commerce within India, features Arjuna's Penance from Mahabalipuram, depicting the legend of the descent of the sacred river Ganges to earth.
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Prem Behari Narain Raizada did the calligraphy
Prem Behari Narain Raizada, born on December 16, 1901, was an Indian calligrapher who is renowned for his work on the Constitution of India. Coming from a family of calligraphers, Raizada began learning the art form at a young age, starting with his grandfather, a scholar of English and Persian. He further honed his skills at St. Stephen's College in Delhi.
When the Constituent Assembly of India completed drafting the Constitution in the late 1940s, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru wanted the document to be handwritten, reflecting the spirit of the nation's history and aspirations. Raizada was chosen for this task. He agreed to do it for free, only asking that he be allowed to sign his name and that of his grandfather, Ram Prasad Saxena, in the document.
Raizada's calligraphy style for the Constitution was a flowing italic style. He used 432 pen-holder nibs, sourced from England and Czechoslovakia, to meticulously craft each letter of the 251-page manuscript, weighing 3.75 kg. The manuscript consisted of 395 articles, 8 schedules, and a preamble. The entire process, from drafting to illustrating, took five years.
In addition to Raizada's elegant calligraphy, the Constitution also features artwork by Nandalal Bose and his students from Shantiniketan, including five women artists: Gauri Bhanja, Jamuna Sen, Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, and Bani Patel. The illustrations in the Constitution are inspired by the country's history, legends, and epics, with influences from the Ajanta cave paintings and Bagh murals. The artwork adds to the document's significance, making it not just a legal text but also a celebration of India's rich cultural heritage.
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Five women artists contributed to the illustrations
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution. It is a repository of art, reflecting the country's rich heritage and culture. The document is not only handwritten but also beautifully illustrated. Each of the 22 chapters of the constitution is headed by an illustration. These illustrations were crafted by a team of artists led by Nandalal Bose, a gifted artist from Shantiniketan.
Among the team of artists was a group of five talented women—Gauri Bhanja, Jamuna Sen, Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, and Bani Patel. These women played a significant role in the historic endeavour of illustrating the Indian Constitution, leaving their mark on this important document.
Jamuna Sen, for example, created engaging visual travelogues that reflected the influence of renowned artists such as Abanindranath Tagore and Nandalal. Her landscape paintings included seascapes of the Ghats and mountainscapes of Darjeeling. Sen's artistic prowess is evident in her illustration from the Constitution, which depicts a scene from Lord Mahavir's life.
Another talented artist, Gauri Bhanja, followed in the footsteps of her sister, Jamuna. Gauri joined the Kala Bhavana as a student in the early 1930s and learned the art of creating frescos and linocut printmaking. Her linocuts showcased performers from Tasher Desh, among other subjects.
The contributions of these five women artists to the Indian Constitution are a testament to their skill and talent. Their illustrations not only enhanced the aesthetic value of the document but also helped to reflect the rich cultural and historical context of India.
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Frequently asked questions
Nandalal Bose, an artist-pedagogue from Shantiniketan, was the lead artist for the Indian Constitution illustrations.
Nandalal Bose worked with a team of collaborators which included his close family members, his students, and fellow artists. The team included artists such as Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, Dinanath Bhargava, Kripal Singh Shekhawat, A Perumal, and Direndrakrishna Deb Burman. There were also five women artists on the team: Gauri Bhanja, Jamuna Sen, Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, and Bani Patel.
The illustrations for the Indian Constitution were inspired by the country's history, legends, and epics. They also showcase the diverse geography of India, from the camels marching in the desert to the mighty Himalayas. The artists also took inspiration from various sources, including the ornate designs of Ajanta and Bagh Caves, Chola art, Deccani miniature, and poster art of the 19th and 20th centuries.
