A Walk Down Memory Lane
- Arijit Bose
- Jan 15, 2019
- 2 min read
A recently concluded conference of the All India Advocate’s Council was host to a unique display of trivia, celebrating the life and works of Acharya Nandlal Bose, whose artwork brings to life the ethos of the Indian Constitution.
Such a sight on Amity University campus gave students, faculty and staff a chance to cherish a historic creation that makes India proud. Arts students on campus saw how arts and crafts have played a crucial role in boosting national pride.
The artwork of Bose and his students makeup a distinct part of the Constitutional legacy of India. Organizers part of the advocates council said, “The collection has been specially arranged with help from the Law Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad and the MoS Law and Justice PP Choudhary.” The artwork on display was curated out of a special collection the Law Minister boasts of at his residence.
After India broke away from the shackles of British rule in 1947, the Constitution of India was drafted to guide the working of the Independent Indian government. Historians believe that the Constituent Assembly took over two years to finalise a draft of the Constitution. After making over 2000 amendments, the Assembly wanted the Constitution to be adorned with artworks adding to the brilliance of the Constituent Assembly.
PM Jawaharlal Nehru approached Prem Behari Narain Raizada to beautify contents of the Indian Constitution with his fine calligraphy.
As artistic individuals it was Nandalal Bose and his students who brought the rich history and heritage of India alive in the Constitution. Ornating pages of the first manuscript of our Constitution with art, it is one of his most prized achievements. Pages of the first draft are mostly stylized with unique borders, headers, and backdrops.
Complex patterns on edges and covers in gold added a new sheen to the Constitution.
Each part of the Constitution begins with a phase or scene from India’s national history. Mostly depicting Vedic Period, Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley, the Gupta and Maurya empires as well as the Mughal era.
Each page of the Constitution has been beautifully crafted by Nandalal Bose and his students. The special artwork using gold leaf and colours made from stones illuminate the text beautifully. These are reminiscent of the Ajanta murals.
Nandalal Bose also drew the emblems for the highest awards given by the Government of India such as Bharat Ratna and Padmashri. He was himself, awarded the Padma Vibhushan for his amazing contributions to modern Indian art in 1954.Born in Bihar in December 1882, Nandalal Bose created more than 7000 portraits mostly housed in the National Gallery of Modern Arts, Delhi.
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