Simone Lawson
The Indian Constitution is a rare, beautifully handwritten document with ornamented borders and illustrations. It was illustrated by Nandalal Bose, a pioneer of modern Indian art and a key figure of Contextual Modernism. He was chosen by the Congress to adorn the pages of the Constitution with images that reflected India's journey and heritage. He carefully selected a team of artists, including five women, who created 22 unique illustrations on the manuscript. The paintings highlighted the country's geographical and cultural diversities, with the mighty Himalayas in the backdrop. The original copies are preserved in helium-filled cases in the library of the Parliament of India.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Nandalal Bose |
| Birth Date | 3 December 1882 |
| Death Date | 16 April 1966 |
| Awards | Padma Vibhushan, Silver Jubilee Medal, Fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi, Tagore Birth Centenary Medal, honorary D.Litt. from the University of Calcutta, title of 'Deshikottama' from Vishvabharati University |
| Occupation | Artist, Principal of Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan |
| Art Style | "Indian style" |
| Art Characteristics | Originality, passion, devotion, analytical |
| Notable Works | Sketches for the emblems of the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Shri, illustrations for the Indian Constitution, paintings of scenes from Indian mythologies, women, and village life |
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What You'll Learn
Nandalal Bose, the master illustrator
Nandalal Bose, born on December 3, 1882, is recognised as one of the pioneers of modern Indian art and a key figure of Contextual Modernism. As a young artist, Nandalal Bose was deeply influenced by the murals of the Ajanta Caves. He was also a part of an international circle of artists and writers seeking to revive classical Indian culture. This circle included renowned names such as Okakura Kakuzō, William Rothenstein, Yokoyama Taikan, and Eric Gill.
Bose's genius and original style were recognised and praised by artists and art critics like Gaganendranath Tagore, Ananda Coomaraswamy, and O. C. Ganguli. These art enthusiasts believed that objective criticism played a vital role in the development of painting and, consequently, founded the Indian Society of Oriental Art. Bose was the first recipient of a scholarship from this society. His work combined the qualities of Renaissance masters like Raphael and Durer. Like Raphael, he was a great synthesizer, and like Durer, he possessed a passion that bordered on devotion, along with an analytical mind that drove him to explore different art traditions and make them accessible to a new generation of Indian artists.
Bose's talent was acknowledged by none other than Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who suggested his name for the task of illustrating the Indian Constitution. Along with his disciple Rammanohar and a team of talented artists from Santiniketan, Bose created twenty-two unique illustrations on the manuscript. These illustrations included scenes from Indian history, mythology, and village life, such as Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, Shivaji, and Gandhiji's Dandi March. The paintings also showcased the country's geographical diversity, featuring landscapes with the Himalayas in the backdrop.
In addition to his work on the Constitution, Bose was also responsible for sketching the emblems for the Government of India's awards, including the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Shri. He became the principal of Kala Bhavana (College of Arts) at Tagore's International University Santiniketan in 1921 or 1922. Today, the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi holds 7000 of his works, and he is remembered as an artist who left a significant imprint on Indian art.
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Prem Behari Narain Raizada, the calligrapher
Prem Behari Narain Raizada, born on 16 December 1901, was a master calligrapher who hand-wrote the Indian Constitution. He was born into a family of renowned calligraphers and began learning calligraphy at a young age from his grandfather, Ram Prasad Saxena, a scholar of English and Persian. After graduating from St. Stephen's College in Delhi, he continued to refine his calligraphic skills and gradually gained fame for his graceful handwriting.
When the Constituent Assembly of India drafted the Constitution in the late 1940s, Raizada was personally chosen by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, to write out the first copy. Nehru wanted the longest legal document in the world to be handwritten, not printed, and Raizada's talent and skill made him the perfect fit for the job. When asked what he would charge for hand-writing the constitution, Raizada replied that he would not accept a single penny. His only condition was that he be allowed to write his name and his grandfather's name on the document, which was honoured.
Raizada worked on the manuscript for six months in a room in Constitution Hall (now the Constitution Club of India). The document consisted of 395 articles, 8 schedules, and a preamble, and was 251 pages long, weighing 3.75 kg (8.26 lbs). He used hundreds of pen nibs, brought from England and Czechoslovakia, to inscribe each letter beautifully. His flowing italic style of calligraphy brought the Indian Constitution to life, and his attention to detail ensured that not a single word was misplaced, nor was there a single blotch of ink.
Raizada's name and that of his grandfather are immortalised in the Constitution, and his work is a testament to his mastery of the art of calligraphy.
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Gauri Bhanja, one of five women artists
Gauri Bhanja, born in 1907, was the eldest daughter of Nandalal Bose, one of the pioneers of modern Indian art. Gauri Devi, as she was also known, was born in her father's ancestral home in Kharagpur, in the Monghyr District of eastern Bihar. Nandalal Bose named his daughter 'Gauri' after the painting he was working on at the time. Gauri Bhanja went on to become a skilled artist herself, mastering various media of art under her father's guidance and eventually teaching others. She was the first significant woman artist to be trained in all media of art.
Gauri Bhanja's artwork was influenced by her father's thematic and representative styles, which were inspired by Indian classical art, including the Ajanta murals and indigenous miniature painting traditions. She also assisted her father in painting the murals of China Bhavan, which was inaugurated in 1937 by Rabindranath Tagore. In 1927, Gauri Devi married Santosh Kumar Bhanja, a lawyer, and moved with him to Madras, where she found success as an art tutor.
In her artwork, Gauri Bhanja Devi demonstrated her knowledge of Indian Classical Iconography. Her painting 'Rudra-Shiva / Shiva Dancing' is a notable example, showcasing her expertise in both art and scholarship. The painting depicts Shiva as Rudra, immersed in the act of a Tandava, surrounded by the three natural elements of Jal (water), Agni (fire), and Vayu (air).
Gauri Bhanja was one of five women artists who illustrated the Constitution of India. Nandalal Bose, her father, was tasked with illustrating the original manuscript of the Constitution and carried out this work with his disciple Rammanohar. Gauri Bhanja was part of her father's team of talented artists from Santiniketan, who created twenty-two unique illustrations for the manuscript. These illustrations included scenes from Indian history and mythology, such as Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, and Gandhiji's Dandi March, as well as geographical landscapes, including the Himalayas. The handwritten Constitution was later published using photo lithography, and the original copies are preserved in the library of the Parliament of India.
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Sumitra, the prankster
Sumitra Narayan (nee Benegal), the prankster, was the student of renowned artist Nandalal Bose, who was tasked with illustrating the Indian Constitution. Sumitra was chosen by Bose to be part of his team of talented artists from Santiniketan, where he was the principal of Kala Bhavan. Sumitra's talent and mischievous nature are evident in a story shared by her niece, who recalls how Sumitra once jumped through a window to avoid being late for class. As punishment, Bose assigned her the task of illustrating the border of the Indian Constitution.
Sumitra's artistic contributions to the Constitution are a testament to her skill and creativity. Working alongside other gifted artists, she helped bring the document to life with intricate illustrations that reflected India's rich history and cultural diversity. The illustrations were created using indigenous techniques, incorporating gold leaf and stone colours. Sumitra's involvement in this historic endeavour is a testament to her talent and a lasting legacy.
Sumitra's artistic abilities were recognised and nurtured by Nandalal Bose, a pioneer of modern Indian art and a key figure in Contextual Modernism. Bose himself faced challenges in pursuing his artistic passion due to a lack of family support. However, he became a master of combining diverse artistic influences and creating a unique programme for a new art movement in India. His classic works include paintings of scenes from Indian mythologies, women, and village life, and he is known for his distinctive "'Indian style'" of painting.
Bose's influence on Sumitra's artistic development is evident in the intricate border illustrations she created for the Constitution. Sumitra's contributions added a layer of beauty and cultural significance to the document. Her involvement in this project also highlights the impact of Bose's teaching and his dedication to fostering the talents of his students. Sumitra's artistic legacy is a testament to the power of mentorship and the enduring influence of artistic masters like Nandalal Bose.
Sumitra's story, as a talented artist and prankster, adds a human touch to the creation of the Indian Constitution. Her mischievous spirit and artistic skill came together in a unique way, leaving an indelible mark on this important document. Sumitra's legacy serves as a reminder that creativity and a sense of humour can coexist, and that sometimes, even a prankster can play a pivotal role in shaping history.
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A rich artistic heritage
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 consolidation of laws and regulations but also a wonderful repository of art. The constitution is a handwritten, illustrated document, with 22 chapters, each headed by an illustration crafted by a team of artists led by Nandalal Bose, the principal of Santiniketan's Kala Bhavana.
Nandalal Bose (1882–1966) is considered a pioneer of modern Indian art and a key figure of Contextual Modernism. His genius and original style were recognised by artists and art critics alike. He was influenced by the Tagore family and the murals of Ajanta, and his classic works include paintings of scenes from Indian mythologies, women, and village life.
Bose and his team of students from Shantiniketan, including five women artists—Gauri Bhanja, Jamuna Sen, Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, and Bani Patel—were entrusted with the duty of creating painted pieces and sketches for this integral text. The illustrations were created using indigenous techniques of applying gold leaf and stone colours, with influences from the country's history, legends, and epics.
The constitution commences with an illustration of the National Emblem, adopted from the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka's famous Lion Capital at Sarnath, and the slogan 'Satyameva Jayate', or 'Truth Alone Triumphs'. The emblem features four lions, symbolising the four noble truths in Buddhism, and the Dharma Chakra, representing progress, constant movement, and harmony. The animals depicted—the lion, elephant, horse, and bull—are considered guardians of the four directions.
The artwork in the constitution pays homage to India's rich artistic heritage and includes depictions of important historical and religious figures, such as Shri Krishna and Arjuna from the Mahabharata, Gautama Buddha, Vardhamana Mahavira, and King Ashoka. It also showcases the country's natural heritage, with stunning artworks of the Himalayas and the vast desert sands.
The paintings in the Indian Constitution not only showcase the country's diverse culture and timeless civilisation but also elevate the document to an artefact of immense historic and artistic value.
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Frequently asked questions
Nandalal Bose, along with his team of talented artists from Santiniketan, was responsible for illustrating the Indian Constitution.
Nandalal Bose was influenced by the Tagore family and the murals of Ajanta. His classic works include paintings of scenes from Indian mythologies, women, and village life.
The different illustrations included the seal of Mohenjodaro, the Vedic gurukul, scenes from Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, Shivaji, Guru Gobind Singh, Tipu Sultan, Rani Lakshmibai, and Gandhiji’s Dandi March.
