April 24, 2025
Kolkata

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture History

Sunayani Devi: A Woman’s Voice in the Bengal School

Introduction Sunayani Devi (1875-1962) was a significant, albeit often less celebrated, woman artist associated with the Bengal School of Art. Coming from the illustrious Tagore family of Jorasanko, she was a contemporary of her brothers Abanindranath and Gaganendranath Tagore. Unlike many of her male counterparts in the Bengal School who consciously engaged with nationalist politics

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Arts & Culture History

Dadasaheb Phalke: The Father of Indian Cinema

Dhundiraj Govind Phalke (1870-1944), popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke, is widely regarded as the "Father of Indian Cinema." A pioneer filmmaker, director, producer, and screenwriter, Phalke made the first full-length Indian feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913), and laid the foundation for the Indian film industry. While his films were primarily mythological and not overtly political,

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Arts & Culture History

Social Themes and Silent Protest: Early Socially Relevant Films in India

While mythological and historical dramas dominated early Indian silent cinema, another, often less discussed, strand of filmmaking emerged: socially relevant films. These films, though still nascent and often subtle in their approach, engaged with pressing social issues prevalent in early 20th-century India, such as caste discrimination, women's rights, and poverty. While not overtly political or

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Arts & Culture History

Subramania Bharati: Nationalist Poetry and Songs

Subramania Bharati (1882-1921) was a towering figure in Tamil literature, widely revered as a Mahakavi ('Great Poet') and a fervent Indian nationalist. His prolific output of poetry and songs was deeply imbued with patriotic fervor, social reformist ideals, and a revolutionary spirit that directly challenged British colonial rule and traditional social hierarchies. Bharati's works became

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Arts & Culture History

Nil Darpan (The Indigo Mirror) by Dinabandhu Mitra

[Nil Darpan, often translated as The Indigo Mirror] is a Bengali play written by Dinabandhu Mitra in 1858-1859. Published in 1860, the play is a searing indictment of the British indigo planters in Bengal and their brutal exploitation of Indian indigo farmers (ryots). Nil Darpan is considered a landmark work in Bengali drama and a

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Arts & Culture History

Bharatmata (Abanindranath Tagore Painting)

[Bharatmata] is a painting by the Indian painter Abanindranath Tagore in 1905. Considered an iconic image of Indian nationalism, it depicts a saffron-clad woman, reminiscent of a sadhvi, holding items symbolic of India's national aspirations. The painting is one of the earliest and most influential visual representations of Bharatmata (Mother India), and a landmark work

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Arts & Culture

Contemporary Indian Sculpture: Exploring 20th and 21st Century Innovations

Contemporary Indian Sculpture in the 20th and 21st centuries represents a dynamic and diverse field, marked by a fascinating interplay between modern forms and traditional roots. Indian sculptors have embraced a wide range of materials, techniques, and artistic approaches, drawing inspiration from both Western modern art movements and India's rich sculptural heritage.

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Arts & Culture

Colonial Architecture in India: Indo-Saracenic, Art Deco

Colonial Architecture in India refers to the architectural styles and urban planning initiatives introduced and developed during the period of British colonial rule in India (roughly 17th to mid-20th centuries). This era saw the emergence of distinct architectural styles, including Indo-Saracenic, Art Deco, and the implementation of modern urban planning principles

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Arts & Culture

Indian Textiles: From Silk Sarees to Block Prints

Indian Textiles are renowned worldwide for their incredible diversity, rich traditions, intricate craftsmanship, and vibrant colors. From luxurious silk sarees to hand-spun cotton khadi, from richly embroidered shawls to resist-dyed ikat fabrics, Indian textiles represent a vast and multifaceted tapestry of techniques, materials, and regional specialties.

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Arts & Culture

Madhubani Painting: Folk Art from Bihar

Madhubani Painting, also known as Mithila Painting, is a traditional folk art form originating from the Mithila region of Bihar and Nepal in India. Characterized by its bold, linear drawings, vibrant natural colors, and themes rooted in mythology, nature, and daily life

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