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not the production of pleasing objects; and above all, Gandhiji did believe that art has an important place it is not pleasure; but it is a means of union among in life. He met an artist from Bengal who fully men joining them together in the same feelings, and understood Gandhiji's views on Swadeshi, advocating indispensible for the life and progress towards well- the use of goods produced in one's own country. He being of individuals and of humanity."
was Nandalal Bose. In Shantiniketan he was known This is so similar to what Gandhiji wrote in Young as Nandababu or Master Moshay. He used to wear India, on Nov. 13, 1924, "There are two aspects of khadi, used to spin on charkha, and being inspired by things—the outward and the inward. The outward has Gandhiji he used to paint on hand-made paper with no meaning except insofar as it helps the inward. All earth colours. true art is thus the expression of the soul. The outward One interesting anecdote was narrated by Prof. forms have value only insofar as they are the K. G. Subramanyan on Nandalal Bose and Mahatma expression of the inner spirit of man."
Gandhi. It is quoted here from the book published on Gandhiji's views on art and aesthetics can be seen the occasion of NANDALAL BOSE: CENTENARY from the way he reacted and appreciated decoration EXHIBITION, organized by National Gallery of Modern at some political conferences. One such conference Art, New Delhi in 1983: was organised in a village called Kaliparaj in Gujarat "In 1936 Nandalal's name came up for wide on 18th January, 1925. He was quite impressed by national publicity. That year Mahatma Gandhi invited the way the place was tastefully adorned. He said, 'it him to set up an art exhibition in Lucknow to go with seems the nature itself has decorated the place. To the session of the Indian National Congress to be held learn from the nature and not to hurt it in any manner in that city. He accepted the invitation with some is the real art.' There were no artificial embellishments, diffidence. He was a confirmed admirer of the Mahatma not even a carpet or floor covering. The main dais but had not yet met him personally and was unaware had the canopy of bamboos and green leaves. The of his tastes and predilections. Besides, art never path to the dais had bamboos tied with creepers. Steps seemed to be anywhere near the centre of the to the dais were created by the sacks filled with sand. Mahatma's interests. For all the initial misgivings of There was no man-made picture and objects, not even Nandalal the exhibition was a great success. Nandalal hand spun fibre. Gandhiji was so pleased to see this had set it up with impeccable taste using the simplest that he said that where there is sky as the canopy and possible means. The Mahatma was taken aback; sand as the seat, only trees and leaves can adorn the according to Nandalal, for a man who had a reputation place. Gandhiji's love for nature and his eye to see of being insensitive to art he showed enlightened beauty in it is evident from this.
interest in the exhibition, visiting it more than once and An exhibition of nearly 50 spinning wheels was also making such observations as showed a very organised at Kaliparaj. From 6-7 years old children to responsive mind. With this Nandalal became for the aged men and women, all were spinning on those Mahatma the national artist, one who could create an charkhas. Normally one finds strings of colourful paper art that could reach down to the lowest of the low, flags as decoration during festive occasions. They eschewing all luxurious and elitist trappings. were absent in Kaliparaj. Gandhiji commented that "So the Mahatma approached Nandalal again next such paper flags neither display sense of decoration year with a request to plan the whole township for the nor refined taste. they are like buying the problem of Faizpur Congress. This was more than Nandalal insomnia by selling one's sleep. Such paper bargained for; he wrote back to him to say that he did decorations annoyed Gandhiji, because for him it was not feel equal to the responsibility, could he consultan killing of the art.
architect? The Mahatma would not take a no from him. In one of his letters written to Rajkumari Amrit Kaur With his characteristic sense of humour he wrote to he said, "Sometimes art lies in not interfering with him that he was not looking for trained pianists, he Nature's unevenness and irregular curves and lines. wanteda fiddler. Nandalal was forced to accede. He Fancy, hammering the earth into a perfect sphere!! planned the whole township in bamboo and hay, used Perhaps, then, we should cease to be."
them in a variety of ways; with a few flashes of colour
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