Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s4.t3.74

v2.c11.s4.t3.74

Abanindranath Tagore was born in 1871 in Calcutta at the Tagore’s residence in Jarasanko, better known as ‘Thakur Badi’. Even as a child, he had an inclination for music and literature. However, he joined the Sanskrit College for Oriental Learning in 1881 and was there till 1889. Then for a few years, he took training in painting under the guidance of two European teachers from whom he learnt painting in oil, pastel, pen and ink, and watercolour. But, he did not like the rigid technique of European painting. Another Japanese art teacher who helped him in watercolour painting was Taikan who found excellent production skills and techniques in Abanindrnath Tagore by adding something new of his own to each and every piece of his work. That became his personal wash style, and for three decades he produced many paintings in that style and his disciples followed him. In 1905, he joined the Calcutta Art School as its Vice Principal when E. B. Havell was its Principal and served there in that post till 1915. But, he left the School in 1908 when Percy Brown became its Principal due to his differences with the new incumbent. Thereafter, he joined Calcutta University as Professor of Rani Bageswari Chair in 1921 at the invitation of Professor Ashutosh Mookherjee, the then Vice Chancellor of the University, and continued there till 1929. During this period, he wrote many articles on fine arts and delivered a series of lectures in Calcutta Art circles which were compiled and brought out as ‘Bageswari Lectures’. As a teacher he was very successful, for his teaching methods were unique and unconventional. He never wanted his students to follow him, and gave them maximum liberty in pursuing their innovative ideas and exploring own individual skill in their creative undertakings.