NCERT Class 12 Fine Art An Introduction to Indian Art Part-II: Chapter 7 — The Modern Indian Art
This chapter, "The Modern Indian Art," from NCERT's "An Introduction to Indian Art Part-II" for Class 12 Fine Art, discusses the emergence of modern art in India against colonial biases. It highlights the establishment of art schools by the British, which initially promoted European tastes. The chapter details the nationalist art movement, exemplified by the Bengal School and institutions like Kala Bhavana at Visva-Bharati. It explores the influence of international art trends like Cubism and Expressionism on Indian artists such as Gaganendranath Tagore, who developed a unique Cubist style, and Rabindranath Tagore, known for his calligraphic and doodle-based visual art. The contributions of Nandalal Bose and his students, Benode Behari Mukherjee and Ramkinker Baij, in exploring new artistic expressions and depicting local life and themes are also covered. This chapter provides a foundational understanding of modern Indian art's development and its unique characteristics.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Fine Art |
| Book | An Introduction to Indian Art Part-II |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 — The Modern Indian Art |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 617 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the impact of colonial rule on Indian fine arts.
- Identify the emergence and characteristics of nationalist art in India.
- Recognize the contributions of key artists like Gaganendranath Tagore, Rabindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose, Benode Behari Mukherjee, and Ramkinker Baij.
- Analyze the influence of international art movements on Indian modern art.
- Appreciate the unique styles and themes developed by modern Indian artists.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Modernism | A movement in art and literature that sought to express new ideas and feelings, often by rejecting traditional styles and forms. |
| Nationalist art | Art that expresses national identity, pride, and aspirations, often in opposition to foreign influence. |
| Academic art | Art that follows established traditional rules and conventions, often taught in art academies. |
| Naturalist art | Art that aims to represent subjects truthfully and objectively, without artificiality. |
| Cubism | A style of art in which objects are broken up and reassembled in an abstract form, showing many viewpoints at once. |
| Expressionism | A style of art that expresses emotional experience rather than physical reality. |
| Abstraction | Art that does not attempt to represent external reality accurately, but seeks to achieve its effect using shapes, forms, colors, and textures. |
| Calligraphic style | A style of writing or drawing characterized by elegant and artistic lettering. |
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Practice questions
- What was the British perspective on fine arts in India? Answer: The British viewed fine arts as European and believed Indians lacked the training and sensibility to create or appreciate them.
- Name two major cities where art schools were established in the mid and late nineteenth century. Answer: Lahore, Calcutta (Kolkata), Bombay (Mumbai), and Madras (Chennai) were major cities with established art schools.
- What was the significance of Kala Bhavana at Visva-Bharati University? Answer: Kala Bhavana was India's first nationalist art school, established in 1919, carrying the vision of the Bengal School and exploring art meaningful for Indians.
- How did Gaganendranath Tagore use Cubism in his paintings? Answer: Gaganendranath Tagore used the language of Cubism with vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines to create mysterious halls and rooms, developing a unique style distinct from Picasso's geometrical facets.
- Describe Rabindranath Tagore's approach to visual art. Answer: Rabindranath Tagore developed a unique, calligraphic style from doodles and crossed-out words, creating captivating visual worlds with a limited palette, departing from the Bengal School's style.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which art movement influenced Indian artists to reject academic realism and experiment with abstraction?
Explanation: The chapter mentions that international trends of Cubism and Expressionism influenced Indian artists to reject academic realism and experiment with abstraction.
Q2. Who is credited with nurturing the Bengal School of Art?
Explanation: The text explicitly states that the Bengal School of Art was nurtured by Abanindranath Tagore and E. B. Havell.
Q3. Kala Bhavana, India's first nationalist art school, was established as part of which university?
Explanation: The chapter mentions that Kala Bhavana was set up in 1919 as part of the newly established Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan.
Q4. Gaganendranath Tagore's paintings of mysterious halls and rooms were characterized by:
Explanation: The text states that Gaganendranath Tagore's paintings were made with vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines, creating a unique style.
Q5. Rabindranath Tagore's visual art style is described as:
Explanation: The chapter describes Rabindranath Tagore's visual art as having a unique, calligraphic style developed from doodles and crossed-out words.
Q6. Which artists were Benode Behari Mukherjee and Ramkinker Baij's mentors?
Explanation: The text identifies Benode Behari Mukherjee and Ramkinker Baij as Nandalal Bose's most creative students.
Frequently asked questions
What was the initial impact of British art schools on Indian art?
British art schools established in India tended to promote traditional Indian crafts and academic/naturalist art reflecting Victorian tastes, often supporting crafts that aligned with European market demands.
How did Indian artists respond to the colonial bias in art?
A nationalist art movement emerged in response to the colonial bias, with the Bengal School of Art, nurtured by Abanindranath Tagore and E. B. Havell, being a prime example.
What international art movements influenced modern Indian artists?
Modern European art movements like Cubism and Expressionism, which rejected academic realism and experimented with abstraction, influenced Indian artists.
What is unique about Gaganendranath Tagore's use of Cubism?
Gaganendranath Tagore used Cubism to create a unique style characterized by mysterious halls and rooms depicted with vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines, differing from Picasso's geometrical approach.
How did Rabindranath Tagore approach visual art?
Rabindranath Tagore turned to visual art late in life, developing a unique calligraphic style from doodles and crossed-out words, creating a distinct visual world with a limited palette.
What was the contribution of Nandalal Bose and his students?
Nandalal Bose encouraged exploration of new artistic avenues. His students, Benode Behari Mukherjee and Ramkinker Baij, developed unique styles to capture their environment and people, including the Santhal tribe, and explored literary themes.
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NCERT Class 12 Fine Art — An Introduction to Indian Art Part-II — Chapter 7 — The Modern Indian Art. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.