Eleanor Finch
The Indian Constitution is the lengthiest written Constitution in the world and is richly illustrated, with all 22 parts carrying hand-painted images and adorned with elaborate borders. The paintings were conceived and implemented in Santiniketan by artist-pedagogue Nandalal Bose and his team, which included five women artists: Gauri Bhanja, Jamuna Sen, Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, and Bani Patel. Nandalal Bose was born in 1882 and was a pioneer of modern Indian art, known for his Indian style of painting. 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.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Nandalal Bose |
| Birth date | 3 December 1882 |
| Death date | 16 April 1966 |
| Birthplace | Haveli Kharagpur, Munger district, Bihar state |
| Education | Pupil of Abanindranath Tagore |
| Notable students | Benode Behari Mukherjee, Ramkinkar Baij, Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, K. G. Subramanyan, A. Ramachandran, Pratima Thakur, Jahar Dasgupta, Satyajit Ray, Dinkar Kaushik, Amritlal Vegad, Kiron Sinha, A.D.Jayathilake, Gauri Bhanja, Jamuna Sen, Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, Bani Patel |
| Awards | Padma Vibhushan, Silver Jubilee Medal, Tagore Birth Centenary Medal, Fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi, Deshikottama |
| Art style | "Indian style" of painting, influenced by the Tagore family and the murals of Ajanta |
| Notable works | Paintings of scenes from Indian mythologies, women, and village life; linocut of the Dandi March depicting Mahatma Gandhi; set of seven posters of Mahatma Gandhi; Chola Bronze Nataraja |
| Team members | Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, Dinanath Bhargava, Gauri Bhanja, Jamuna Sen, Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, Bani Patel, Sumitra Narayan |
| Number of illustrations | 22 |
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What You'll Learn
Nandalal Bose led the illustration of the Constitution of India
The Indian Constitution is the lengthiest written Constitution in the world and the most richly illustrated. It is adorned with 22 hand-painted images and elaborate borders. The man behind these paintings is the artist-pedagogue Nandalal Bose, who conceived and implemented the artwork from Santiniketan, along with his team of artists.
Nandalal Bose was a visionary artist who played a pivotal role in India's freedom movement. He was deeply influenced by the murals of the Ajanta Caves, which he spent months copying in 1909. He sought to revive the Indian style of art, moving away from European techniques. In the 1930s, he created a linocut print of Mahatma Gandhi walking with a stick to mark Gandhi's arrest for protesting against the British salt tax. This image became an icon of the Non-Violent Freedom Movement.
Bose's talent was recognised by Mahatma Gandhi, who praised his art, and he soon became a household name. He was then entrusted with significant projects, including the illustration of the Constitution and the design of the Bharat Ratna and Padma Shri emblems at the request of Jawaharlal Nehru.
Bose carefully selected a team of artists, including five women—Gauri Bhanja, Jamuna Sen, Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, and Bani Patel—to work on the Constitution. Together, they created a sequence of 22 images that represented India's history, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the freedom struggle, and showcased the country's diverse geography. The narrative scheme of the paintings, when placed in sequence, tells the story of India's past, with each chapter commencing with one or two illustrations.
The illustrations in the Constitution were not meant to directly correlate with the text but to provide a visual representation of India's history and heritage. Nandalal Bose's unique artistry and genius are reflected in every illustration, making the Indian Constitution not just a legal document but also a masterpiece of art.
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The paintings represent different periods in Indian history
The Indian Constitution is the lengthiest written Constitution in the world, with 22 parts carrying hand-painted images and elaborate borders. The paintings were conceived and implemented by artist-pedagogue Nandalal Bose and his team of students and fellow artists from Shantiniketan.
When placed in sequence, the narrative scheme of the paintings represents different periods in Indian history. The images span from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the freedom struggle, showcasing the diverse geography of India, from the majestic Himalayas to the vast desert sands.
The paintings also include scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. For instance, Part III of the Constitution on Fundamental Rights has an illustration from the Ramayana, depicting Shri Rama, Devi Sita, and Shri Lakshman. Meanwhile, for Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV, the artists turned to the Mahabharata, illustrating Shri Krishna imparting the Bhagavat Gita to Arjuna before the battle of Mahabharat at Kurukshetra.
The illustrations also feature prominent figures in India's history, such as Mahatma Gandhi, who appears twice in the Constitution, leading the Dandi March and visiting riot-hit Noakhali in Bangladesh. The only female figure illustrated in the Constitution is Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, who is depicted alongside Tipu Sultan, the King of Mysore, in Part XVI.
The paintings also pay homage to ancient India's educational institutions, such as the Nalanda Mahavihara, a global centre of learning for over 800 years, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, depicted in Part X. The artistic endeavour of Nandalal Bose and his team not only made the Constitution a visual delight but also provided a glimpse into India's rich culture and history.
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The illustrations showcase India's diverse geography
The Indian Constitution is the lengthiest written Constitution in the world and the most richly illustrated. All 22 parts carry hand-painted images and elaborate borders. The paintings were conceived and implemented by artist-pedagogue Nandalal Bose and his team from Shantiniketan, including his student Beohar Rammanohar Sinha.
Nandalal Bose was born on 3 December 1882 in a middle-class Bengali family. He was a pupil of Abanindranath Tagore and is known for his "Indian style" of painting. He became the principal of Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan in 1921. He 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.
Bose's vision of India's history is reflected in the sequence of images he created for the Constitution. The illustrations showcase India's diverse geography, from camels marching in the desert to the mighty Himalayas. The boats depicted in Part XXII of the Constitution symbolise the eternal quest of the people of Hindustan.
The illustrations also depict different periods in Indian history, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the freedom struggle, including scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The first page of Part IX features artistic impressions of the court of King Vikramaditya and an iconic coin issued by him. Part X showcases one of ancient India's most famous universities, the Nalanda Mahavihara, a global centre of education and learning for over 800 years and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The illustrations in the Constitution, therefore, not only make it a visual delight but also provide a glimpse into the rich culture, varied heritage, and illustrious past of India.
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The paintings were done in a variety of artistic styles
The Indian Constitution is not just the world's lengthiest written constitution but also the most richly illustrated. All 22 parts of the Constitution carry hand-painted images and elaborate borders, reflecting India's rich history and diverse geography.
The paintings were done by renowned artist Nandalal Bose and his team of students and fellow artists from Shantiniketan. The team included women artists, the youngest of whom was a 21-year-old female artist. Nandalal Bose was chosen for the task due to his long association with the nationalist movement and his close ties with Mahatma Gandhi.
The paintings in the Constitution showcase a variety of artistic styles and techniques. Nandalal Bose's style varied from watercolour washes to expressionist subaltern works. The artists used indigenous techniques, such as applying gold leaf and stone colours. The artwork also includes intricate patterns, calligraphy, and illuminated art works.
The paintings depict different periods in Indian history, from the prehistoric Mohenjodaro and Indus Valley civilisation to the freedom struggle. They feature scenes from Indian epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, showcasing the country's rich mythological heritage. The geographical diversity of India is also on display, with illustrations of the Himalayas, the Indian sea, and the desert with marching camels.
The paintings in the Constitution, therefore, not only provide a visual delight but also offer a glimpse into India's rich culture, history, and geography.
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Five women artists contributed to the endeavour
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Despite their signatures, the contributions of five women artists to the endeavour have remained largely 'invisible'. These women are Gauri Bhanja, Jamuna Sen, Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, and Bani Patel. Gauri Bhanja was the eldest daughter of Nandalal Bose. She illustrated the Chola Bronze Nataraja as per the instructions of the Shilpa-Shastras (Craft Treatise). Jamuna Sen, meanwhile, created a preparatory sketch for the illustration 'Scene from Mahavir's Life', as well as a final sketch with colour markings. Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, and Bani Patel also left their mark on the historic endeavour.
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Frequently asked questions
Artist-pedagogue Nandalal Bose and his team of students from Shantiniketan painted the Constitution of India.
Nandalal Bose's team included artists such as Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, Dinanath Bhargava, Gauri Bhanja, Jamuna Sen, Amala Sarkar, Nibedita Bose, Bani Patel, and Nani Gopal Ghosh.
The paintings in the Constitution of India are not just decorative but also hold historical and cultural significance. They represent different periods in Indian history, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the freedom struggle, and showcase the diverse geography of the country.
