Dhaki belongs to the NGMA collection of Nandalal Bose’s landmark set of temperas popularly known as the Haripura Posters. Painted on Mahatma Gandhi’s invitation, these posters were meant for decorating the venue of the 1937 Congress session at Haripura, a village in Gujarat. Gandhi, a strong believer of the social relevance of art, wanted the posters to depict the lives of ordinary people who would be at the venue. Bose immersed himself in the everyday life of Haripura, recording all in quick sketches. These were the basis of 400 panels which were then painted by Bose and his students. Bose himself painted 80.
Among the many artisans he brought to life, here is a drummer or a dhaki. The tempera is drawn in direct, bold lines and resembles the traditional ‘pata’ paintings of Bengal in its simplicity of form and flat colouring.
Detailed Description
Fascinated by the folk art and indigenous modes of expression, Nandlal Bose incorporated these themes in his work with a unique stylized form in his representations and narratives of the local life. His work reflected changing landscapes, portraits of people, sketches from life and places at the time of changing outlook in the modern Indian cultural domain.
His nature to explore the various materials and mediums allowed him to make a prolific body of work in different mediums.
