Bireshwar Sen
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An Unsung Hero of Indian Art :Bireshwar Sen Richa Yadav Research Scholar Dayalbagh Educational Institute Deemed University, Agra “What does a Poet or an Artist - really see? Is his vision the same as ours, a matter of fact optical impression of the fleeting moment, or something deeper and different?” -Bireswar Sen Bireswar Sen, one of the greatest artist of Morden Indian Art. He belongs to the group of Indian artist who changed the era of painting in Indian Art. He was from Calcutta. He painted beautiful landscape, enchanting forms of lofty mountain peaks, deep green valleys, rushing white cascades, cloudy days and rainy night, autumn mornings and summer evenings vibrant with the dance of line and the music of colour. The beauty of his landscapes make mind to lost in that painting. Sen was born in 1897 inCalcutta, to an educated family.His father, Rai Bahadur Saileswar Sen, was a professor of literature at Calcutta University. His grandfather, Jogeswar Sen, was a solicitor at Calcutta High Court; he had deep interest in Painting. Bireswar used to colour his story books n figurative books during his childhood. His grandfather gets happy by seeing this.Bireswar Sen grew up in an atmosphere charged with art and men of stature like the legendary poet Rabindranath Tagore, renowned painters like Abanindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose, and the Japanese ideologue OkakuraKakuzo. In childhood Bireshwaras a child mostly went with his grandfather to see the art exhibitions of Indian Society of Oriental Art, Calcutta. Although he was a small child to understand the depth of the paintings but he use to observe the colour patterns and figures which has left a lasting impact on his mind. In 1918 he completed his bachelor‟s degree in English, at that time he met with two legendary artistAbnindranath Tagore andNandlal Bose. He got influenced by their works.Sen studied in the Indian Society of Oriental Art, Calcutta for six years under the supervision of great artist Abanindranath. Sen regarded Abanindranath as his mentor in art and gained an enormous amount of knowledge and skill under his guidance. With the help of techniques he learned from Tagore he modified his style and created an unique technique. He also learnt from renowned Japanese masters like OkakuraKakuzo, Yokoyama Taikan and Arai Kampo, who came to India for educational research tour and worked with Avanindranath, Nandlal and other artist in Calcatta Art College. Sen‟s Father wanted him to build his courierin the field of Literature, to fulfil his father‟s desire Sen did masters in English Literature in the year 1921 and In 1923, he started teaching English in a College at Patna in Bihar. He was also found of writing, he wrote several poems, short story, essay etc.He was passionate about art and literature both throughout his life.In 1926 he came to Lucknow and joined Lucknow Art and Craft College as a vice principal,Where did remarkable contribution he practiced different painting technique which is predominantly reflected in his works. He likes to works on watercolour he did many experiment with it. He said that if an artist can deal with watercolour, then surly he will be a good artist. Sen got settled in Lucknow and spent nearly four decades in the city till his death in 1974. Sen’s Inspiration- It is said that his meeting with artist Nicholas Roerich in 1932 changed his artistic path. He was moved with the light and colour of Roerich‟s landscape paintings. Sen, observed the style of Roeriech‟s painting he got inspired and influence of or style can be see Sen‟ s work.The artist was a breed apart from the rest of his contemporaries. He derived inspiration Verge of dawn Size:2 1/2" x 3 1/ from paintings depicting landscapes through his close association with the celebrated Russian painter Nicholas Roerich who made the Kullu Valley his home. Sen wrote in a journal, “Roerich is a legendary figure of romance. For he saw in them, especially in his paintings of the Himalayas that he loved a lot , a luminosity which seemed to come as much from the startling brilliance of the colours he used as from the fire that burned within.Like Roerich, Sen was also fascinated by the mountains and he painted the Himalayas again and again and every time in different way. But for the entire sweep and majesty of the mountains that he so loved, he painted them on a small scale. However, he saw to it that there was no absence of grandeur in his paintings. In keeping with the new wave of interest in invoking history, Sen also envisioned Mughal figures in his painting.” Sen’s Technique and Style - He worked in the media of water colours, pastels, ink etc. He usually painted his miniature landscapes in water colours and the bigger ones in pastels.The uniqueness of his miniature paintings was the size of the paintings that was only 2 1/2" x 3 1/2"inches.He could illustrate lofty Himalayas, snow peaks resplendent with the Picture of his work’s in exhibition chromatic effects of sunset and sunrise in such a small area.Most of the paintings are breath taking, delicate, strong, confident and inspiring paintings. Each painting is reflection of his great dedication, concentration, focus, deep understanding of natureand command over pigment in area of few inches. High mountains and Sunshine comes over form dazzling sky the beautiful colours of nature, small figures, the depth and distance he made in his painting, makes the composition stunning. He made large amount of paintings in big and small sizes. FulfilmentBeacon light Size:2 of 1/2" God x Size:23 1/2 1/2" x 3 1/2" It can be inferred that Sen‟s this unique style of paintings is inspired, adapted and influenced by the guidanceofJapanese artist OkakuraKakuzo, Yokoyama Taikan and Arai Kampo.For some time in starting days he was also influenced by the artist Admen Duelock. He made a replica of Dulock,s one painting but aftersome time he moved over from it.In the painting „Beacon light of God‟ and „Fulfilment‟ we can see the different shades of blue colours with the effect of wash, high mountains covered with fog and vibrant sky, small figures, and the depth of the composition makes it perfect.These small paintings in physical terms, to aid in visualizing their richness. The material is watercolour on paper. The paintings are all approximately two and a half inches tall by three and a half inches wide. Within that small space, with just a few precise, yet loose brush strokes, one sees a detailed landscape filled with light. For the distant land and sky washes are applied, layered with a light handed coat of paint for the mountains. Where ever the sun touches the earth Sen lets the light of the paper glow through. He is a master of colour, light and pigment. In this painting „The Endless of Quist‟ he painted stunning himalaya, light blue moutains covered with fog n clean sky and one figure walking over himalaya, The Endless of Quist Size: 2 1/2" x 3 1/2 this beautiful composition Shows Sen‟s love for nature such a beautiful work of him. The landscapes range in scenes many are of the stunning Himalayas Mountains. Most of the paintings contain tiny figures, no bigger than a small black ant, making their way across this vast land. The figures tiny scale fills one with reverence for nature.Sen‟s paintings are very true to the beauty and power one is surrounded by in the Himalayas Mountains. His painting work during the time between 1932 and 1974, are a genuine example of the tradition of miniature paintings being utilized in a contemporary context. Sen choose to work in small scale and with watercolour on paper, giving a nod to the tradition. His subject, however, was personal and contemporary to his time. The result is a perfect blend that reaches far beyond both technique and subject, and contains the power to move us outside of ourselves. According to Sen it is not important the size of the painting that is small or large. Its only important the thing is the feel of colour, subject and the purity of composition effects the vision. A Kulu courtship Size:2 1/2" x 3 1/2" All the paintings are capturing the grandeur of nature, especially the mighty Himalayas, is a semi-retrospective of the works of the late miniaturist Sen. The painting kulu courtship has such amusing work. In this painting we can see the high mountain and the beautiful orange colour of sky with cloud and two small tiny figures of male n female which complete the composition and left an lasting impact on viewers mind. The landscapes he painted appear for the most part to have been memory-images. He noticed everything in nature, but in his paintings he kept on enhancing, taking out, abbreviating and transforming.” A.K. Haldar, the first Indian Principal of Lucknow Art College said about Bireswar Sen “It is superfluous for me to dilate on the fact that Mr. Sen enjoys a deservedly world-wide reputation as an artist and has through knowledge in painting and is specially employed to teach Indian painting and design in my school. I am confident that his technical knowledge and high education will enable him to occupy the most responsible position in any art school in India. He has struck a new note of his own in Modern Indian Art and it is very difficult to find such a rare combination of an able officer with those of a distinguished artist.