Republic illustrated | Nandalal Bose's 'Colours of Swades: From Haripura to the Constitution'

At the behest of Mahatma Gandhi, Nandalal Bose put brush to paper to create a landmark moment in modern Indian art. The Haripura Panels of 1938, created for the Indian National Congress session at Haripura (Gujarat), are remarkable works that celebrate the vitality of rural India. Rendered in bold lines and luminous colours inspired by folk traditions, they depict farmers, potters, artisans, musicians and women at work. They are now on display at Mumbai’s National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) as part of the exhibition Colours of Swades: From Haripura to the Constitution.