Arts and Theater

India’s Most Famous Paintings

Painting is a better way to convey thoughts, emotions, and feelings. For the past few years, paintings have held the attention of art lovers because the paintings hold a story within the thick brush strokes. India had the privilege of being called the land of some wonderful artists with excellent minds. Every painting is a masterpiece and we have selected the best for you.

Famous Paintings of India

1)Shakuntala- Shakuntala the epic painting by Raja Ravi Varma painted in the year 1870. Shakuntala is an important character from Mahabharat pretending to remove a thorn from her foot while she is looking for her husband Dushyant. The painting beautifully captures the body language and expressions of Shakuntala and her friends.

The worth of Shakunta’s painting is somewhere around Rs 12crores. There are many other wonderful paintings of Raja Ravi Varma like Hamsa Damayanthi, Woman Holding a fruit, Yashodha Krishna, and there comes papa.

Location: Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvanthapuram

2)Bharat Mata- Bharat Mata is one of the best works of Abanindranth Tagore who is the founder of the Bengal School of Art. In this painting, we see Bharat Mata in Saffron clothing holding a book, paddy, a piece of white cloth, and a garland in her hands. The painting signifies that Bharat Mata blesses her devotees with education, food, cloth, and initiation.

Some of the masterpieces of Abanindranth Tagore are Asoka’s Queen, Ganesh Janani, My mother. The worth of Bharat Mata is 3.7million dollars.

Location: Victoria Memorial Hall, Kolkata.

3)Bapuji- Bapuji painting was created by Nandlal Bose in the year 1930 as a mark of respect to Gandhi’s Dandi March protest. Nandlal Bose’s fascination and respect for Gandhi are reflected in the linocut portrait of Gandhi which unified the entire nation. It is displayed at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi.

Here are some other works of Nandlal bose are Floating a canoe, Rati with her bow, Darjeeling, and Fog. Nandlal Bose was the pupil of Abanindranth Tagore and he became popular for his unique style of painting and later on became the principal of Kala Bhavan in 1922.

Location: National Gallery of Modern Arts, New Delhi

4)Horses- M F Hussain’s abstract art Horses was painted in the year 1960. His fondness for horses is seen throughout his paintings. This specific painting captures the power and energy of the horses through wonderful outlines that show the horse’s strength in galloping. This painting was placed on auction in 2008 and it was sold for 1Crore Rupees. The other popular works of MF Hussain are Mother India, British India, Mother Teresa, Lady with Veena.

Location: Asia Society Museum, Mumbai

5)Self Portrait by Amrita Sher Gil- The Self Portrait of Amrita Sher Gil is one of India’s famous paintings. The portrait shows us the 18-year-old Amrita who is half-smiling with intensity. Some of her other portraits capture her various moods which draw the viewer into the innermost feelings of the artist. The masterpiece of Amrita Sher-Gil’s Self portrait fetched $3million in an auction. Some of the renowned works of Amrita are Three Girls, Brahmacharis, Ancient Story Teller.

Location: Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi

6)Self Portrait by Rabindranath Tagore- The Noble prize winner Rabindranath Tagore made illustrations for his poems and verses in the early phases of his life. Later on, he went on to make sketches as well and this self-portrait of the artist is raw, expressive, and simple. Tagore was striving to create a universal art that is accessible to everyone that is why he took up painting as a medium and the most famous of them is his self-portrait.

Tagore painted some wonderful artworks like Dancing Woman, Dancing Girl, Head Study, Brooding.

7)Three Pujarins- Jamini Roy is one of the eminent artists in India was a wonderful painter who paints some great masterpieces that represent Indian essence. The three pujarins is one of the famous paintings which depicts three Bengali women in traditional saree holding their poise calmly. Jamini Roy created wonderful paintings with a technique of his own called flat technique and most of his artworks show women doing their regular work.

Some of his other best works are Krishna with Gopis, Woman, Cat, and the lobster, Bride, and two companions.

Location: National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi

8)Glow of hope- Lamp of Glow or Glow of Hope is a watercolor masterpiece created by S L Haldankar is a wonderful attraction in the Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery in Mysore. This painting is so famous because Haldankar’s daughter stood still for three hours with a lamp in her hand posing for her father’s work. The painting depicts the simplicity, sensitivity, and ray of hope which is reflected from the fingers has made this wonderful painting famous across the globe.

Location: Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Mysore

9)Krishna Spring in Kullu- Krishna Spring in Kullu was painted by the Russian Artist Nicholas in 1930. In this painting we see Lord Krishna playing the flute under a tree with big snow-covered mountains in the background. The painting is displayed at Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York. ASI has recognized him as one of the nine artists whose work is considered a national art treasure.

Nicholas Roerich was also an activist who stood for preserving art and architecture during times of war. For this, he was nominated for the Nobel prize as well. Some of his other wonderful works are Visitors from over the sea, mother of the world, Himalayas, the last angel.

Location: Nicholas Roerich Museum, New York

10)Days of Glory- Days of Glory has been created by Satish Gujral who was a painter and a Padma Vibushan awardee. This wonderful painting is done in black and white which reflects the human emotions like pain, suffering, and trauma which the artist has witnessed during the partition of India and Pakistan.

Satish Gujral was known for his versatility in his art and he changed his medium, materials to explore different types of art. Some of the best works for Satish Gujral are Mourning en masse, Tree of Life, and Meera Bhai.

Conclusion:

So these are some of the famous paintings of India. There are many other popular masterpieces like Bindu by S.H.Reza, Mahishasura by Tyeb Mehta. All of these wonderful works are an inspiration to art lovers because every one of them greatly shows India and its beauty.

April 11, 2022

Reviving the art of storytelling: Chitrakathi

The once popular Chitrakathi, storytelling through paintings, is brought back to life by the Gangawane family in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg. Ketki Gadre interviews the last family practicing this art form to delve into their motivations and the supporters who have aided them on this journey. After a long day of trekking the Western Ghats around Bhogwe Beach in Sindhudurg, my luxury resort, Coco Shambhala, suggested an unusual activity – an art class. They agreed to it and invited Chetan Gangavane, a third-generation Chitrakathi artist working to revive this art form. Chitrakathi Art While setting up the art activity, Mr Chetan briefs me about the 11 art forms his community (Thakar) has been involved with for generations. His family currently practices three art forms unique to Maharashtra: String puppetry, Chitrakathi, and Shadow puppetry. “Chitrakathi involves storytelling through art on a 12×15” or 12×18” canvas, which can take 1-3 days to complete, depending on the painting’s intricacy. Traditionally, these paintings depicted scenes from mythological epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, accompanied by live singers playing instruments. Therefore, Chitrakathi artists needed not only painting skills but also the ability to sing and play instruments,” explains Mr. Chetan. The Thakar community, an Adivasi tribe living in the forests, gained recognition for their art from the erstwhile warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He brought them out of forests and closer to towns and provided them opportunities to perform art shows during festivals. In return, the community assisted the king by spreading messages of social enlightenment through their art. The artists earned their livelihood for many years through food or monetary donations. However, over time, attitudes shifted, and people stopped donating food and began treating them with disrespect. The Gangavane family is the last Thakar community to practice this centuries-old art form. The rest gave up with

Arts and Theater

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In the vibrant world of contemporary art, one name stands out for its unique approach to nurturing and managing artistic talent: Goa-based Sunaina Misra. As the founder of Artiste Culture, Sunaina has revolutionized how artists are managed, helping them navigate the complexities of the art industry. Her agency works directly with artists worldwide, assisting them in making connections and developing the skills needed to elevate their creative careers. Surabhi Goel had the pleasure of sitting down with Sunaina to discuss her background, the origin of Artiste Culture, and her vision for the future. I always grew up in an environment where my mother encouraged me to explore art in various forms, painting or visiting galleries. She wanted me to find my passion, so she enrolled me in different classes, from basketball to art. By age 15, I started working with an artist in Lucknow, helping him in his studio. There, I discovered my knack for organizing and managing artistic tasks, such as typing resumes and basic computer tasks. This experience sparked my interest in art management. Later, I pursued my Master’s in Art and Design Management in Newcastle, which solidified my understanding of the field. After various roles, including working for an art start-up and a museum, COVID-19 hit, leading me to start Artiste Culture. A blend of necessity and passion drove me to create a platform to support artists during uncertain times. The inspiration came from identifying gaps within the industry. Artists often struggled with managing their careers while focusing on their art. I wanted to create a space where artists could focus on creating while we took care of everything else—finding exhibitions, writing citations, and managing logistics. My vision was to build a multicultural and diverse environment that supports artists from all over the world. Over time, Artiste

Arts and Theater

5 Prolific Women Contemporary Indian Artists to Watch for in 2024

In 2023, women artists from India achieved new heights and were lauded worldwide. With Amrita Sher-Gil’s work ‘The Story Teller’ becoming the most expensive Indian artwork ever sold, Google honouring Zarina Hashmi for her life’s work, and Nalini Malani winning the 2023 Kyoto Prize, Indian women artists in both modern and contemporary art are gaining momentum. This year, contemporary Indian women artists continued to wield their creativity as a powerful force, shaping the art scene and contributing to the evolution of societal narratives. With 2024 upon us, the recognition and interest Indian women artists receive will only continue to rise. Sneha Gautam, Senior Vice President at AstaGuru Auction House, lists some eminent women artists whom art enthusiasts and collectors should watch for in this year. Nalini Malani: Among the trailblazers in the contemporary art scene who are making an impact on a global scale is painter and multimedia artist Nalini Malani, recognised for her innovative use of technology and distinctive visual language. Born in Karachi in 1946, she studied at Sir J.J. School of Arts and became one of India’s video art pioneers. Malani’s work often explores themes of feminism, war, and the human condition, challenging viewers to engage with complex issues in new and thought-provoking ways. Her dedication to seeing the artist as an activist and her exploration of womanhood through various media has indelibly impacted India’s contemporary art. Bharti Kher: Influential contemporary Indian artist Bharti Kher was born in London to Indian immigrant parents in 1969. She captivates with her avant-garde creations that transcend traditional boundaries and is best known for works constructed with many bindis. Renowned for her thought-provoking sculptures and installations, Kher often explores themes of identity, mythology, and the female form. With a unique artistic vocabulary, she challenges conventional notions, using unconventional materials to craft

Arts and Theater

Art on Your Fingertips

Rooftop is a community-driven art experiences marketplace App that makes traditional Indian art forms accessible to the world. This App is a one-stop destination for all art needs, which is bridging the gap between Indian artisans and art lovers all over the world. This first-of-its-kind art technology company endeavours to curate art and recreational activities based on traditional art. Bindu Gopal Rao in conversation with the Founder of Rooftop, Kartik Gaggar. Rooftop was started to help the arts and artists. “Whilst travelling I came across so many different indigenous artists that were struggling to create value for their crafts. I was impressed with their skills and the passion with which they continued to love their heritage despite the challenges. When I started Rajasthan Studio, I wanted to bring art lovers closer to the artists and regenerate value for the arts. In 2020, when the pandemic hit, this provided me with an opportunity to revamp and pivot to a digital/online space with Rooftop. This enterprise was a brainchild of long hours of work, tears, and a zeal to make Indian traditional arts mainstream again,” explains Kartik Gaggar, CEO & Founder, of Rooftop. So how does it work? Rooftop works for art lovers and artists. It intends to connect the two and create revenue and value for different art forms scattered around the country. Rooftop onboards artists and experts based on their level of skills and love for their craft. The team record either workshops or courses with them to then market the same to different target audiences ranging from simple art lovers to hardcore artists. They also have subscription plans for people who are passionate about learning and upskilling. “Subscription is a great way to consume art and courses are great as it also gives you a personal connection with the