National Gallery of Modern Art-Parikraman

Nandalal Bose

A Sketch from Album No. 71 8859 Nandalal Bose Watercolour on postcard

Nandalal adept in the Chinese and Japanese brush techniques has in this monochromatic painting portrayed a woman labourer carrying mortar and bricks on her head for construction of a wall. The representation of the woman with fluid lines in the far Eastern calligraphic style artist has been executed in a minimalist fashion. Nandalal was indefatigable in his sketching routines which formed an adjunct part of his daily life. Making instantaneous visual records of anything amusing happening in his surroundings or of social events, or observing the demeanour and mannerisms of people, the cattle and observing intently the ways of nature was inspiring and a source of delight for Nanadalal. His smaller sketches are testimony of Nandalal's keenness to observe and his empathy for the environment in which he lived. Art historian R. Siva Kumar in the book, 'Rhythms of India: The Art of Nandalal Bose' has described the sketches and drawings of Nandalal as - "Nandalal's drawing take through different landscapes and introduce us to life in different cultures- not cosmetically, but intimately. Done on small cards, these drawings are a visual record of the artist's sensory experiences, and they capture the varying moods and gestures with remarkable ease and economy."