Simone Lawson
The Constitution of India, which came into force on 26 January 1950, is the supreme law of the land. The original manuscript was handcrafted and illuminated by renowned painter Shri Nandalal Bose, known as the artist laureate of India, and his team of artists from Kala Bhavan (Institute of Fine Arts), Visvabharati University. The illustrations in the Constitution represent styles from different civilizations of the Indian subcontinent, ranging from prehistoric Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley to the present. The pathbreaking document is a visual delight and also provides a glimpse into the rich culture, varied heritage, and illustrious past of India.
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What You'll Learn
- Nandalal Bose, the artist laureate of India, illuminated the Constitution of India
- Bose was inspired by the murals of the Ajanta Caves
- The illustrations in the Constitution of India represent styles from different Indian civilisations
- The illustrations are categorised into twelve historical periods
- The illustrations were crafted by Bose and his team of artists from Kala Bhavana
Nandalal Bose, the artist laureate of India, illuminated the Constitution of India
Nandalal Bose, the artist known as the "artist laureate of India" and the "father of Indian modernism", illuminated the Constitution of India. He was born in Bihar, India, in 1882 and was a prominent figure in the country's cultural revival. Bose's artistic journey began in 1905, and he sought to restore the spirituality and cultural authenticity of Indian art after five decades of colonial rule and westernization. In the 1930s, he became closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, creating iconic images of him and designing settings for some of his most important political events.
Bose was a student of Abanindranath Tagore and was invited by Rabindranath Tagore in 1922 to become the Principal of Kala Bhavan in Shantiniketan. He was also part of the Bengal School of Art, which was a part of the larger Bengal Renaissance, aimed at departing from colonial art forms. His work included scenes of nature, tribal and village life, and devotional subjects. He experimented with a variety of Indian, Japanese, and Chinese techniques, contributing to the development of a new Indian art form.
The members of the Constituent Assembly wanted the Constitution to represent India's journey and rich heritage, so they entrusted Bose with the task of illustrating its pages. He carefully selected a team of artists, including his students from Kala Bhavana, to create twenty-two images for the manuscript. These illustrations, arranged chronologically, depicted different historical and cultural aspects of India, ranging from prehistoric to modern times. The illustrations were crafted using indigenous techniques, such as gold-leaf and stone colours, and were completed in 1954, taking four years to finish.
Nandalal Bose's involvement in India's freedom movement started in the 1930s when he created a linocut print of Mahatma Gandhi with a stick to mark his arrest during the Dandi March. This image became an icon for the Non-Violent Freedom Movement. Bose's artwork and installations were also used in Congress Sessions, and he gained recognition for his contributions to Indian art and culture.
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Bose was inspired by the murals of the Ajanta Caves
Nandalal Bose, the artist responsible for illuminating the Constitution of India, was inspired by the murals of the Ajanta Caves. As a young artist, Bose was deeply influenced by the ancient paintings of the Ajanta Caves, which are located in a series of monasteries and worship halls carved into a 75-metre rock wall. The caves are believed to have been created in two distinct phases, the first occurring between the 2nd century BCE and the 1st century CE, and the second several centuries later.
The Ajanta Caves contain a wealth of paintings and sculptures depicting the past lives and rebirths of the Buddha, as well as pictorial tales from Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions. The murals in the earlier caves, in particular, showcase the mastery of Indian painters in creating naturalistic scenes with large groups of people. As part of the Bengal School of Art, Bose sought to revive classical Indian culture and move away from the prevalent European artistic techniques of the time. To this end, he spent months copying the 5th-century murals of the Ajanta Caves, experimenting with techniques to emulate their ancient style.
Bose's unique style, which built upon the influence of the Ajanta murals, gained recognition from artists and critics and Mahatma Gandhi himself. His artwork for the Indian National Congress and his iconic linocut print of Gandhi walking with a staff brought him widespread acclaim. Eventually, he was entrusted with important projects such as illustrating the Constitution of India and designing the emblems for the Bharat Ratna and Padma Shri awards.
For the Constitution of India, Bose carefully selected a team of artists, including his students from Kala Bhavan, to create twenty-two images that represented India's historical and cultural heritage. These illustrations, created using indigenous techniques with gold leaf and stone colours, were arranged chronologically and corresponded to the original twenty-two parts of the Constitution. The final manuscript, weighing approximately 13 kg, was signed by the members of the Constituent Assembly on 24 January 1950.
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The illustrations in the Constitution of India represent styles from different Indian civilisations
The Constitution of India is the lengthiest written constitution in the world, with 22 hand-painted illustrations and elaborate borders adorning its pages. The illustrations were created by the artist-pedagogue Nandalal Bose, also known as the artist laureate of India, and his team of students and fellow artists. The team included Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, Dinanath Bhargava, Kripal Singh Shekhawat, A. Perumal, Direndrakrishna Deb Burman, Biswarup Bose, Gauri Bhanja, Jamuna Sen, Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, Bani Patel, Vinayak Sivram Masoji, and Bose's three children. The calligraphy in the book was done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, also known as Prem Bihari Narain Raizada or Shri Prem.
The illustrations in the Constitution of India represent different periods in Indian history, ranging from the prehistoric Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley to the present. The illustrations are categorised into twelve historical periods: the Mohenjodaro Period, Vedic Period, Epic Period, Mahajanpada and Nanda Period, Mauryan Period, Gupta Period, Medieval Period, Muslim Period, British Period, India's Freedom Movement, Revolutionary movement for freedom, and Natural Features.
The commencing pages of each part of the constitution are decorated with ornate borders in two different styles. The Preamble is decorated with an intricate border using cultural symbols depicting the past and the present of the nation. The four corners depict a cow, an elephant, a tiger, and a horse, while the rest of the border is adorned with lotuses and peacocks. The rest of the pages depict a typical Talapatra-style border. The first pictorial representation in the Constitution is the Bull Seal, excavated from the Indus Valley region, appearing in 'Part I: The Union and its Territory'. 'Part II: Citizenship' features a hermitage scene with ascetic figures offering prayers in a meditative environment.
The illustrations also showcase the diverse geography of India, from camels marching in the desert to the mighty Himalayas. They include scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, pictures of Ram, Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, the only female figure illustrated prominently in the Constitution. The artists 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.
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The illustrations are categorised into twelve historical periods
The illustrations in the Constitution of India are categorised into twelve historical periods, reflecting the rich culture, diverse heritage, and illustrious past of the nation. These twelve periods encompass the vast history and mythology of the subcontinent, showcasing the following eras:
Mohenjodaro Period
The prehistoric Mohenjodaro civilisation in the Indus Valley is represented, with an illustration of a seal bearing an impressive zebu bull and an inscription in the undeciphered script of the Harappan or Indus-Saraswati civilisation.
Vedic Period
Part II of the Constitution, dealing with Citizenship, features an illustration of a Gurukul in a rishi's ashram, a hallowed portal of learning with origins traced back to the Vedas.
Epic Period
This period includes illustrations related to mythologies such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Scenes from the Ramayana, featuring Shri Rama, Devi Sita, and Shri Lakshman, symbolise the victory of dharma over adharma and are depicted in Part III - Fundamental Rights.
- Mahajanpada and Nanda Period
- Mauryan Period
The National Emblem, adopted from the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka's Lion Capital at Sarnath, is illustrated with the slogan 'Satyameva Jayate', or 'Truth Alone Triumphs'.
- Gupta Period
- Medieval Period
- Muslim Period
- British Period
- India's Freedom Movement
The early freedom struggle leaders Rani Lakshmibai and the King of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, are featured in Part XVI. Mahatma Gandhi, a pivotal figure in the independence movement, is humbly honoured with two illustrations in Parts XVII and XVIII.
Revolutionary Movement for Freedom
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and his fellow patriots are depicted in Part XIX, paying homage to the great revolutionaries of the Indian freedom movement.
Natural Features
The majestic Himalayas and the vast desert sands are showcased in Parts XX and XXI, respectively, celebrating India's unparalleled natural heritage. Part XXII depicts boats, symbolising the eternal quest of the Indian people and reminding us of the unending oceans.
These twelve historical periods provide context and depth to the illustrations, offering a glimpse into India's rich cultural and historical tapestry.
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The illustrations were crafted by Bose and his team of artists from Kala Bhavana
The original manuscript of the Constitution of India was illuminated by Shri Nandalal Bose, a renowned painter, and his team of artists from Kala Bhavana. Nandalal Bose was born in Kharagpur, Munger, in the Bengal Presidency of British India on December 3, 1882. He was one of those painters who fought all odds to pursue his passion. During the Indian Independence Struggle, Bose, accompanied by other artists of the Bengal School, devoted his time to reviving the Indian style of art, moving away from the prevalent European techniques taught in art schools at the time.
Bose and his team crafted 22 images for the manuscript of the Indian Constitution. These 22 paintings are on top of the illustrations in various parts of the Constitution. Each part of the Constitution begins with a depiction of a phrase or scene from Indian national history. The artworks illustrate various periods in India's national history, including the Vedic period, Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley, the Gupta and Mauryan Empires, and the Mughal era. The illustrations also represent styles from different civilizations of the subcontinent, ranging from the prehistoric Mohenjodaro to the present.
The illustrations were crafted under the guidance of Nandalal Bose, who selected a team of artists from Kala Bhavana, including his students Biswarup, Gouri, Jamuna, Perumal, Kripal Singh, and others. The team also included artists such as Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, who illustrated the Preamble, and Dinanath Bhargava, who sketched the National Emblem. Other artists who contributed to the illustrations were Vinayak Sivram Masoji and A. Perumal.
The illustrations in the Constitution of India not only made the document a visual delight but also ensured that it provided a glimpse into the rich culture, varied heritage, and illustrious past of India. The artistic impressions and compositions in the Constitution pay tribute to the ingenuity of India's great artists and its ancient civilizations. The illustrations also include scenes from Indian mythologies such as Ramayana and Mahabharata, labelled under the 'epic period', showcasing the cultural foundational aspects of India's past.
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Frequently asked questions
Nandalal Bose, known as the artist laureate of India, illuminated the pictures of the Constitution of India.
Nandalal Bose worked with his students from Kala Bhavan (Institute of Fine Arts), Visvabharati University, including Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, Dinanath Bhargava, Kripal Singh Shekhawat, A. Perumal, Vinayak Sivram Masoji, and other artists, including Bose's three children: Biswarup Bose, Gauri Bhanja, and Jamuna Sen.
Nandalal Bose was inspired by the murals of the Ajanta Caves, which he used to design the borders of the Constitution. He was also influenced by the Bengal School of Art, which aimed to depart from colonial forms and revive the Indian style of art.
The illumination in the Constitution of India not only made the document visually appealing but also provided a glimpse into the rich culture, heritage, and history of India. The illustrations represent styles from different civilizations of the subcontinent, ranging from prehistoric times to the present.
