Bharater Chitrakala 1 by Ashok Mitra [Hardcover]

When the first edition of Bharater Chitrakala (Indian Art) was published in 1956, no art historians or critics, whether Indian or foreign, had written a social history of Indian painting by connecting it to political and social evolution. Most of the research and writings available up until then were either regional or dependent on specific periods. In this context, Ashok Mitra’s Bharater Chitrakala can be considered the first attempt in the Indian language to write the history of the nation’s art and culture. The evolution and enrichment of Indian painting, from prehistoric cave paintings to 1994, is discussed in two volumes. The first volume ends with the 18th century.

Since many excellent and ancient as well as modern Indian paintings were located outside India, the first edition of this work had to rely heavily on printed picture albums. After 1958, between 1993 and 1995, Ashok Mitra’s firsthand experiences of viewing paintings in galleries and conservation centers across India and around the world enriched the book, doubling the breadth of his initial attempt. The collection of black-and-white and color printed images has been particularly enriched, creating a new tradition in the writing of such histories.

In writing the history of the evolution of Indian painting, the author did not only discuss the admiration for the purest form of nature as perceived by Roger Fry, or the unreserved praise for the rarity of frugality in Indian painting according to Rembrandt's writings, but also emphasized the necessity for Indian artists to internalize the scientific attitude and perspective of Western art. This detailed comparison and contrast has enriched Ashok Mitra's Bharater Chitrakala. Through its comprehensive engagement with the political and social changes across different eras, this book will remain a reliable document in the history of Indian art and culture.