4 Traditional Indian Artworks which are the Pride of the Country

India is known as the land of art and culture. Without a doubt, the country has some amazing gems of art that are resting in its lap. Surely, there are remarkable artists in the present day and age who are showcasing their artistic abilities in front of the entire world, but there are certain masterpieces which have surpassed the limits of time and culture in order to leave a deep mark on the masses. It’s been years since these paintings have been captivating art enthusiasts from all around the world. The reason behind their utmost popularity isn’t only restricted to their alluring appeal, but the story which is hidden deep within is what catches the attention of art lovers.

The traditional Indian art marvels mentioned in this blog are undoubtedly the pride of the nation. These paintings need no introduction and their magnificence has been such that they have taken the world by storm. Every stroke of brush and droplet of paint resembles the beauty and communicates a message which words fail to state. In no specific order, here are four of the most amazing Indian paintings that have become immortal in the art world.

Shakuntala by Raja Ravi Varma

Considered as one of the most epic marvels to have taken birth from the creative mind of the famous artist Raja Ravi Varma, Shakuntala depicts a very important character from the Indian epic Mahabharata. The lady depicted in the painting is shown pretending to remove a thorn from her foot, while her eyes are really looking for her lover, Dushyant. Her friends can be seen noticing this action of hers and they call her bluff. There are so many attributes which are beautifully depicted by the artist. By means of this painting, Raja Ravi Varma has established a special connection and without even showcasing Dushyantha, he has made him an indispensable part of the artwork.

Bharat Mata by Abanindranath Tagore

Bharat Mata is a fabulous traditional Indian art piece created by none other than the great painter Abanindranath Tagore. The painting displays a woman wrapped in a saffron sari. She has four hands and they hold a book, a white cloth, sheaves of paddy and a garland. This artwork is popular because of its immense emotional and historical value. The nationalists of belonging to that particular time period considered this painting as their dear mother and this artwork were one of the earliest visualisations of Bharat Mata. Abanindranath Tagore, the nephew of the great Rabindranath Tagore, was the founder of Bengal School of Art and his admirers consider him as the “father of modern Indian art”.

Glow of Hope by S L Haldankar

Generally misunderstood as one of Raja Ravi Varma’s creation, the glow of hope (also known as Lady with the Lamp) is another feather in the cap of traditional Indian art. The lady depicted in the painting is a demure girl who posed for three hours holding a lamp in her hand for her father S L Haldankar who is the creator of this artwork. This painting is displayed in the Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery in Jaganmohan Palace in Mysore for almost 60 years now. It is a star attraction and every year thousands of people come to witness the enchanting beauty of this artwork. The simplicity of this painting along with the unearthly depiction of the light getting reflected from her fingers gives life to this artwork.

Self-Portrait of Rabindranath Tagore

This list would be incomplete without mentioning the self-portrait of the Nobel laureate. Rabindranath Tagore started painting at the age of sixty-three in the year 1924. When he was moving towards the end of his career, he was determined to create globally accessible art and as a result of this, he started painting more consistently. He created thousands of drawings using different materials like pens, pencils and brushes; however, one of the most famous creations to have been originated from his creativity has to be his self-portrait. The painting displays the full-face of the bearded artist and the primitive pencil lines add to its beauty.

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The Indian soil has been home to numerous artworks which have left the entire world awestruck. Some notable mentions, excluding the aforementioned ones, are the self-portrait of Amrita Sher-Gil, Bapuji by Nandlal Bose, Mahishasura by Tyeb Mehta and last but definitely not the least Horses by the great M F Husain. These paintings are marvellous examples of the artistic intellect of their creators and have collected admiration from all across the world.