Paintings Of The Constitution Of India

Paintings Of The Constitution Of India Have a Nationalistic Character



WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens……..

Who represents “WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA”? Every year 26th November is celebrated as Constitution Day while 26th January is celebrated as Republic Day. The text of the constitution is discussed and contemplated every day. But for last many years the illustrations and the paintings have begun to garner attention of art critics and politicians.

The artwork, the different styles and the various images, from past and present, weave a national narrative of pluralism and secularism. The art work spans 5,000 years of Indian history. It showcases our achievements as an ancient civilization, time tested values and acceptance of varied philosophies. It gives a message of peace and harmony. But, at the same time when the art work is seen as a whole, and not in a fragmentary manner it’s nationalistic character is clearly visible. 


 1. Decoration with Mohenjadaro seals on page 1

 


The Two Prominent Artists

Prem Behari Narain Raizada was born in December 1901 to a Kayastha Saxena family of calligraphers.

Raizada was the calligrapher of the Indian Constitution. The original constitution was written by him in a flowing italic style. When the Indian Constitution was being drafted in the late 1940s, Raizada was asked by Jawaharlal Nehru to write out the first copy of the document. When asked what he would charge for hand-writing the constitution, he refused to accept any remuneration. The Calligraphy of the Hindi version of the Original Constitution was done by Vasant Krishan Vaidya.

Nandalal Bose was the principal of Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan

He was also asked by Jawaharlal Nehru to sketch the emblems for the Government of India's awards, including the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Shri. Along with his disciple Rammanohar, Nandalal Bose took up the task of beautifying/decorating the original manuscript of the Constitution of India. Bose recruited a group of artists who designed twenty two images depicting the rich and vast heritage and culture of India. They were painted in the original manuscript of the Constitution using gold leaf and stone colours.




 2. Scene from vedic ashram, Gurukul, on page 3

 

 3. Scene from Ramayana after conquest of Lanka and recovery of Sita on page 6.

 

 4. Mahabharata Sri Krishna propounding Gita to Arjuna on page 17

 

 5. Scene from Buddha’s life on page 20.

 

 6. Scene from Mahavira’s life on page 63.

 

 7. Emperor Asoka and Buddhism p. 98

 

 8. Gupta period p. 102

 

 9. Scene from Vikramaditya’s court. p. 104.

 


 10. Ancient Nalanda University p. 105

 

 11. Orissan sculpture p. 106

 


 12. Image of Nataraja p. 113

 

 13. Bhagiratha and river ganga from Mahabaliuram sculptures. p. 130

 

 14. Potrait of akbar with Mughal architechture on page 132.

 

 15. Shivaji and Guru Gobind Singh on page 141.

 


 16. Rani Lakshmibai and Tipu Sultan p. 144

 

 17. Mahatma Gandhi during Dandi March p. 149

 


 18. Gandhi as a peacemaker in Noakhali p. 154

 

 19. Subhas Chandra Bose p. 160

 

 20. The Himalayas p. 167

 

 21. The Desert p. 168

 


 22. The ocean p. 181

 


The Constitution commences with an illustration of our National Emblem and the slogan – ‘Satyameva Jayate’ or Truth Alone Triumphs. The National Emblem has been adopted from the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka’s famous Lion Capital at Sarnath


Picture Credits: Google and Law, nationhood and the Constitution of India as a work of art

References:

1. Christianity and Secularism: report of a Public Discussion between Rev.Brewin and G.J.Holyoake (London: Ward and Co., 1853), p. 4.

2. Ibid, p. 7.

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