Abanindranath Tagore

Abanindranath Tagore was a transformative figure for Indian art and culture. The son of artist Gunendranath Tagore and nephew of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, he received a formal training at the Government School of Art, under Olinto Ghilardi and Charles Palmer, later mastering Japanese brushwork with Yokoyama Taikan. A key proponent of the nationalist revivalist movement, Abanindranath founded the Bengal School, which redefined Indian cultural identity through art. His notable works, such as Bharat Mata and Krishnaleela, seamlessly blended traditional Indian motifs with modern aesthetics and inspired a generation of artists, including the great Nandalal Bose. In addition to painting, Abanindranath's literary contributions, particularly enchanting children’s stories like Kshirer Putul, enriched the Bengali canon. His prose, marked both by simplicity and depth, made complex ideas accessible to all. As Bageswari Professor of Art at Calcutta University, he shared profound insights regarding artistic expression. He left an enduring legacy, one that continues to inspire the landscape and particular character of modern Indian art.