Aakar School

Abanindranath Tagore
Imagine growing up in a home where art, poetry, and culture were part of daily life — alongside Rabindranath Tagore himself. That was Abanindranath's world. Born in 1871 at the iconic Jorasanko mansion, he didn't just inherit a legacy — he created one. He's the founding father of the Bengal School of Art and a pioneer of modern Indian painting.
At a time when Western oil painting was the "standard," Abanindranath looked inward instead. Drawing from Mughal and Rajput miniatures, the timeless Ajanta frescoes, and even a collaboration with Japanese master Yokoyama Taikan, he built a style that was entirely, unapologetically Indian.
Soft brushwork. Misty watercolor washes. Art that felt something, rather than just showing something. For him, the soul of a painting mattered more than getting the anatomy perfect.
Then came the painting that stopped everyone in their tracks. Bharat Mata (1905) showed India not as a land on a map, but as a goddess — draped in saffron, four arms carrying food, clothing, knowledge, and spiritual beads. It became a symbol of hope and resistance during the Swadeshi movement.
The Passing of Shah Jahan is another unforgettable piece — an imprisoned emperor spending his last moments gazing at the Taj Mahal, the monument he built for love. Abanindranath didn't paint the grandeur of a king. He painted the grief of a man.
A great artist creates masterpieces. A truly great one creates other great artists. As Vice-Principal of the Government School of Art in Calcutta, he shaped legends like Nandalal Bose and Jamini Roy. In 1907, he co-founded the Indian Society of Oriental Art to protect and carry forward indigenous Indian art.
His brush rested in 1951. His legacy hasn't.

We're Hiring an Part-Time Art Teacher for Aakar School

Art Olympiad 2025–26 | Participation Certificate — Group E
Organised by the Contemporary Foundation for Art and Craft
In collaboration with Aakar School
Heartiest congratulations to Samrat Singha for earning this well-deserved participation certificate!

Art Olympiad 2025–26 | Participation Certificate — Group D
Organised by the Contemporary Foundation for Art and Craft
In collaboration with Aakar School
Heartiest congratulations to Sayantika Karmokar for earning this well-deserved participation certificate!

Art Olympiad 2025–26 | Participation Certificate — Group D
Organised by the Contemporary Foundation for Art and Craft
In collaboration with Aakar School
Heartiest congratulations to Ananya Ghosh for earning this well-deserved participation certificate!

Art Olympiad 2025–26 | Participation Certificate — Group D
Organised by the Contemporary Foundation for Art and Craft
In collaboration with Aakar School
Heartiest congratulations to Shivam Yadav for earning this well-deserved participation certificate!