Kala Bhavana is well-known as a distinguished centre for Visual Art practice and research in India. Founded in 1919, it is the fine arts faculty of the Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan, established by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
Kala Bhavana’s influence on India’s modern visual art scene was more than that of the Bengal school of the early 20th century. The school also developed its own architectural style. Students were encouraged to explore nature and collaborate with local craftsmen. The school departed from the tradition of teaching students to be specialists and instead taught various forms to each individual painting, sculpture, designing, architecture, murals and crafts in a bid to develop versatility.
Artists Sri Madhusudan Das, Shafiqul Kabir and Jhuma Dutta, have all studied fine arts from Kala Bhavana. Their work is deeply rooted in the creative values of Santiniketan while exploring the aesthetics and harmony of Kala Bhavana.
Madhusudan Das works mainly in acrylic on canvas and for him art serves as meditation for the soul. His paintings show minute details of objects in a realistic style and depicting nature is the most promising as it unifies the sky with earth, changing weather in divine nature indicating a strong message of keeping closeness to nature.
Shafiqul Kabir, the creator of ‘Grace of Earthen Hedge’ (Tapestry Hand weaving in mixed fibre) is a textile weaving artist.
Jhuma Dutta’s artwork (Mixed medium on cloth & paper revolves around strange human heads, female figures using rich strong hues and bold themes.
Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan holds immense importance in art history. `Roots of Kala Bhavana` is an entirely new concept of exhibition in London, where works of these three artists from a particular art institution will be displayed. Keeping the traditional element intact the artists explore the evolution of their styles and their contribution to Indian modernism.