Omar Bennett
The signing of the Constitution of India was painted by Nandalal Bose, a principal of Santiniketan’s Kala Bhavana. The painting was completed in 1949, just before the final session of the Constituent Assembly and the signing of the draft Constitution on November 26, 1949. The painting is one of 22 artworks that adorn the Indian Constitution, each representing a different period in Indian history, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the freedom struggle. The paintings also showcase India's diverse geography, from the Himalayas to the deserts. Nandalal Bose was a close aide of Mahatma Gandhi and was chosen for the task due to his long association with the nationalist movement.
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What You'll Learn
- Nandalal Bose led a team of artists in illustrating the Indian Constitution
- The paintings represent Indian history, legend, and life
- The calligraphy was done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada
- The paintings were influenced by the country's epics
- The signing of the US Constitution was painted by Howard Chandler Christy
Nandalal Bose led a team of artists in illustrating the Indian Constitution
Nandalal Bose, the principal of Santiniketan's Kala Bhavana, was the mastermind behind the illustrations in the Indian Constitution. He was a significant figure in the history of Modern Indian art, with his genius and original style recognised by artists and art critics alike.
Bose was approached with the task of illustrating the Constitution in October 1949, just before the final session of the Constituent Assembly and the signing of the draft Constitution on 26 November 1949. He carefully selected a team of artists, including close family members, his students, and fellow artists, to work with him on this important project.
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, and it provides a framework for governing the world's largest democracy. It is a masterpiece, with Bose's unique artistry reflected in each of the twenty-two illustrations that adorn the manuscript. These illustrations include the seal of Mohenjodaro, the Vedic gurukul, scenes from the lives of Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, Shivaji, Guru Gobind Singh, and more. The paintings also showcased India's diverse geography, from the majestic Himalayas to the vast desert sands.
The illustrations were not meant to directly correlate with the text of the Constitution but instead capture the history and rich artistic heritage of India. This is evident in the preliminary plan, which included portraits of Akbar and Shahjahan with Mughal architecture, replaced with a solo image of Akbar. The narrative scheme of the paintings represents different periods in Indian history, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the freedom struggle, as well as scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The original copies of the Indian Constitution, with their beautiful illustrations and calligraphy, are kept safely inside helium-filled cases in the library of the Parliament of India.
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The paintings represent Indian history, legend, and life
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, providing a framework for governing the world's largest democracy. It is a handwritten, illustrated document with 22 chapters, each headed by an illustration. The paintings represent Indian history, legend, and life. When placed in sequence, the narrative scheme of the paintings represents different periods in Indian history, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the freedom struggle, also including scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
The illustrations showcase the diverse geography of India, from camels marching in the desert to the mighty Himalayas. Nandalal Bose, the principal of Santiniketan’s Kala Bhavana, led a team of artists in creating these illustrations. The preamble page, with intricate patterns sketched by Beohar Rammanohar Sinha, and the National Emblem, the Lion Capital of Ashoka, sketched by Dinanath Bhargava, are notable examples of the artistic collaboration.
The paintings in the Constitution depict significant scenes from Indian history, such as the spread of Buddhism by Emperor Asoka and the Mauryan Period, as well as artistic impressions of King Vikramaditya's court, promoting the arts. The illustrations also pay homage to the freedom struggle, featuring iconic leaders such as Rani Lakshmibai and Mahatma Gandhi.
Additionally, the paintings draw inspiration from Indian legends and epics. For instance, Part III of the Constitution on Fundamental Rights includes paintings of Shri Rama, Devi Sita, and Shri Lakshman, the eternal heroes of India, in a scene from the Ramayana. Part IV, Directive Principles of State Policy, showcases Shri Krishna and Arjuna from the Mahabharat at Kurukshetra. Part V, dedicated to the Union, features an illustration of Gautama Buddha delivering his first sermon.
The artistic collaboration of Nandalal Bose and his team transformed the Indian Constitution into not just a legal document but also an artifact of immense historic and artistic value, providing a glimpse into the rich culture and heritage of India.
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The calligraphy was done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, and it is only fitting that the document be handwritten and illustrated. The calligraphy of the English version was done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, a master calligrapher born into a family of renowned calligraphers. He began learning the art form at a young age from his grandfather, a scholar of English and Persian. Raizada further refined his calligraphic skills at St. Stephen's College in Delhi.
When the Constituent Assembly of India was drafting the constitution in the late 1940s, Raizada was approached by Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, to write out the first copy. Raizada's exquisite calligraphy, done in a flowing italic style, incorporated hundreds of pen nibs from England and Czechoslovakia. He worked tirelessly for six months, rendering the 395 articles, 8 schedules, and a preamble of the 251-page manuscript, weighing 3.75 kg, into a work of art.
Raizada's calligraphy transformed the legal document into an artifact of immense historic and artistic value. His work added to the philosophical dimension of the Constitution, showcasing the rich culture and varied heritage of India. The text, written in both Hindi (Devanagari script) and English (Roman script), is a testament to Raizada's skill and dedication.
In addition to Raizada's calligraphy, the Constitution features intricate illuminated artwork and borders by Nandalal Bose and his students from Shanti Niketan. Each of the 22 chapters of the Constitution is headed by an illustration, with the preamble page adorned by intricate patterns sketched by Beohar Rammanohar Sinha. The National Emblem, the Lion Capital of Ashoka, was designed by Dinanath Bhargava, a student of Sinha.
The illustrations in the Constitution depict various periods in Indian history, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the freedom struggle, as well as scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. They showcase the diverse geography of India, from the majestic Himalayas to the vast desert sands. These artistic impressions not only make the document visually delightful but also provide a glimpse into India's rich cultural heritage.
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The paintings were influenced by the country's epics
The Indian Constitution is the world's longest written constitution, with 22 chapters, each headed by an illustration crafted by a team of artists led by Nandalal Bose. The paintings in the Constitution were influenced by the country's epics, history, legends, and diverse geography.
The influence of the country's epics is evident in the artwork, with scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata featured in the paintings. For instance, Part III of the Constitution, which deals with Fundamental Rights, includes a scene from the Ramayana depicting Shri Rama, Devi Sita, and Shri Lakshman, who symbolise the victory of dharma over adharma. Part IV, which outlines the Directive Principles of State Policy, features an artwork inspired by the Mahabharata, portraying Shri Krishna imparting the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna before the battle of Mahabharat at Kurukshetra.
The illustrations also draw inspiration from other Indian epics and legends. Part V of the Constitution, dedicated to the Union, showcases an illustration of Gautama Buddha delivering his inaugural sermon, the Dharmachakra Pravartana Sutra. Part VII depicts a scene from the Mauryan Period, showcasing Emperor Asoka's role in the spread of Buddhism in India and abroad. Part IX features a scene from King Vikramaditya's Court, highlighting the kingdom's patronage of the arts.
The paintings also pay homage to influential figures in India's freedom struggle, such as Rani Lakshmibai, the Queen of Jhansi, and Tipu Sultan, the King of Mysore, who are featured in Part XVI. Mahatma Gandhi, a pivotal leader in the struggle for independence, is honoured with two illustrations in Parts XVII and XVIII.
The artistic influences on the paintings are diverse, with techniques and styles inspired by the country's rich history. The use of gold leaf and stone colours in the illustrations reflects indigenous methods, and the borders are influenced by the Ajanta cave paintings and the Bagh murals. The narrative scheme of the paintings, when placed in sequence, represents different periods in Indian history, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the freedom struggle.
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The signing of the US Constitution was painted by Howard Chandler Christy
The painting is known for its bright and airy colours, with impressionistic brushwork, and it has undergone conservation efforts over the years to restore and protect it. Christy's first small painting for the commission included symbolic figures such as a maiden representing "We the People," but these were eliminated in the final version. Instead, he focused on creating a historically accurate scene, working with Representative Sol Bloom to locate early portraits of the signers and fill in historical details. The result is a magnificent artwork that captures a pivotal moment in American history and has become one of the most recognisable images in the United States Capitol.
In contrast, the Indian Constitution features illustrations by a team of artists led by Nandalal Bose, the principal of Santiniketan's Kala Bhavana. The calligraphy in the Indian Constitution was done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, also known as Prem Behari, in both Hindi (Devanagari script) and English (Roman script). The borders that frame each page were crafted by Behari and several students of Santiniketan. The illustrations in the Indian Constitution represent different periods in Indian history, from the Indus Valley Civilisation to the freedom struggle, as well as scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. They showcase the diverse geography of India, from the Himalayas to the desert sands. The artistic impressions in the Indian Constitution are not just decorative but also hold philosophical and cultural significance, providing a glimpse into India's rich culture, heritage, and history.
While Christy's painting of the signing of the US Constitution focuses on a single momentous event, the illustrations in the Indian Constitution span across various chapters, each heading crafted with intricate artwork. The Indian Constitution, with its 22 chapters, transforms a legal document into an artefact of immense historic and artistic value. The artistic choices made by Christy and the team led by Nandalal Bose reflect their respective interpretations of significant events in the history of their nations.
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Frequently asked questions
Nandalal Bose, a principal of Santiniketan’s Kala Bhavana, painted the signing of the Constitution of India.
Nandalal Bose was a close aide of Mahatma Gandhi and designed posters for the Congress session at Haripura in 1938.
No, Nandalal Bose worked with a team of collaborators which included his students and fellow artists, including Kripal Singh Shekhawat, A Perumal, and Direndrakrishna Deb Burman.
The paintings in the Constitution of India depict significant scenes from Indian history, legend, and life, showcasing the country's rich culture, diverse geography, and philosophical dimension.
The Constitution of India includes 22 paintings, such as depictions of the National Emblem, scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the court of King Vikramaditya, the brilliant and all-pervading Shiva Nataraja, and portraits of Mahatma Gandhi.
