Art of Bengal : A Vision Defined 1955-1975

Contents: Foreword. 1. Chronicle of a decline foretold: Bengal, 1955-75/Rudrangshu Mukherjee. 2. A bridge too far: culture and the left in West Bengal/Bhaswati Chakravorty. 3. An idiom of their own/Sovon Som. 4. From Indian to individual/Rita Datta. Chronology. Bio-datas.

"The ten artists featured in this book belong to the generation that largely reworked and repositioned the stance of visual art in modern India. Founded on the detailed academic study made of the period by Dr. Rudrangshu Mukherjee, Dr. Bhaswati Chakravorty, Dr. Sovon Som, and Ms. Rita Datta, this book holds the glass closer to the historical, socio-cultural, and artistic conditions of the period.

The book, "Art of Bengal – A Vision Defined" concentrates on delineating the total creative output of a generation, its commitment, and its philosophical and ethical concerns. During this period, the artists, having discarded the robe of colonialism along with all its appendages, wove instead a new cloth, coloured by local motifs and patterns, and completely consistent with indigenous history and practices. At the same time they were educated in democratic values and empowered by the euphoric sense of freedom, which was the dominant spirit of the country.

Consequently, they created a canvas that was bold, confident, comfortable with western aesthetic pedagogy, and highly energetic and individualistic. The emphasis was on innovation and introspection, and the outcome of this exploration demonstrated an unprecedented kind of vigour and clarity. The artists explored universal ideas through indigenous sensibility and ideals. It is no wonder then that their work very quickly touched a deep and resonating chord with the intelligentsia of the country. Their art became more meaningful and widespread in the sub-continental context. This book charts the trajectory of that complex and compelling story." (jacket)