National Gallery of Modern Art-Parikraman

Nandalal Bose

A Sketch from Album No. 87 9219 Nandalal Bose Watercolour on postcard

Nandalal adept in the Chinese and Japanese brush techniques has in this monochromatic painting recorded the visit of a Chinese delegation to Santiniketan in India. The utilisation of tonal variations of the black colour for recognisable renderation of an assembly of delegates underneath a canopy and against the backdrop of tall woods is intriguing and alluring at the same time. 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.Dinkar Kowshik in his article 'Drawings and Sketches of Nandalal in the book, "Nandalal Bose - A collection of Essays" has written of Nandalal's sketches and drawings - "Much of his (Nandalal) strength and sensitive wealth finds expression in the spontaneity of his sketches. They are a veritable treasure of shrewd observation, powerful calligraphy, psychological insight, rich sallies of humour and emphatic portrayal of the flora and fauna."This particular sketch executed with quick strokes is one of many examples of Nandalal's acute observation of his surroundings.