Art isn’t just about being displayed for beauty and aesthetics, but also to whisper tales written by the artist, the words he or she conveys through his/her brushstrokes. Many famous artists have left their mark in the art industry, entering the minds and hearts of the common man who feels heard and seen through the artistic representations all embodied within a piece of paper or canvas.
One such artist about whom we’ll talk in this blog is Jamini Roy.
The Birth of a Visionary: Jamini Roy’s Early Life and Education
Born on 11th April, 1887 in the Beliatore Village in West Bengal, Jamini Roy’s artwork embodied the essence of tribal culture and the folk of Bengal. Coming from a middle-class family who adored art, Jamini Roy was eventually sent to study at the Government School of Art, Kolkata, at the ripe age of 16. The school was founded by Abanindranath Tagore.
While he was being taught Western inspirations for his art, Jamini was coloring his canvas with his Bengali roots. His paintings were also influenced by Kalighat paintings.
A Canvas Rooted in Culture: Folk Tales, Tribal Lives, and Mythology
Jamini Roy’s canvases were painted in shades of culture and folk tales. He portrayed tribal lives and their urban legends and mythologies. His “Santhal Girl” paintings displayed the Santhal tribal lives in Bengal, India.
His ways of painting included the flat technique, where he removed the non-essential elements from the background and focused on the main elements only. His way of simplifying art displayed the focused elements without complicating the artwork.
His color palettes did not consist of a plethora of shades, but rather a limited set. This made his art ease and comfort the eyes of the people. This simplicity stood out amongst the crowd.
Art for the Masses: His Belief in Accessible Beauty
Art is not just for the eyes of those who can bid the highest price for them, but for those who appreciate its beauty regardless of their economic status, and Jamini Roy lived by this principle.
He made art accessible to the middle-class common people, but his work splurged into the houses of the rich men as well.
He believed that common people were of more significance because they were the inspiration and voice of his paintings. His respect for the middle class added sentimental value to his artworks, making him stand out.
A National Treasure: Awards, Legacy, and Lasting Influence
In 1934, he achieved a Viceroy's gold medal in a national exhibition for one of his works. Moved by his work, the Government of India granted him the Padma Bhushan in 1954, which is the third-highest honor bestowed upon any person. He also received the highest honor in the visual arts, the title of second Fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi, from the Indian National Academy of Art, Government of India, in 1956.
Beyond Borders: Jamini Roy’s Global Footprint
During the era of 1940s, Jamini’s fame soared, and his artworks were now being displayed beyond the borders of India. In 1946, his paintings were in an exhibition in London and then in New York in 1953. His paintings also find their home in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
Jamini was now representing his culture and the roots of Bengal across borders, amongst huge crowds. How proud must the nation be. Jamini also rejected commercialization and stood his ground in his belief in artistic purpose. He wasn’t just a man who painted art; he was the one who lived it and gave it life.
And what truely showcases his love for art is the fact that he created around 20,000 paintings in his lifetime!
A Spirit That Lives On
Jamini Roy passed away in 1972, but his legacy continues like a quiet symphony in the corridors of Indian art. His art wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about the identity of his roots and culture. He painted not to impress, but to express. His artistic inspirations were deeply spiritual or grounded in local life. And in a world that constantly gives itself to modernity, his paintings serve as gentle reminders to stay connected with our roots, to find beauty in simplicity, and to create not just with hands, but with heart.
So, we honor his soul and his artwork. The timeless beauties of Jamini Roy.