Presentation of Research Paper by Prof. Pradipta Biswas

Prof. Pradipta Biswas (Co-Author), along with Prof. Udaya Narayana Singh, presented a research paper titled “Indian Artistic Traditions, their Revival and Teaching: As Reflected in Early Santiniketan Murals (1920–1950).”

The paper explored how Santiniketan, under the visionary leadership of Rabindranath Tagore and the pioneering contributions of Nandalal Bose at Kala Bhavana, became a hub for reviving Indian artistic traditions and shaping art education rooted in indigenous knowledge systems. It highlighted the revival of classical art forms such as the Ajanta murals, the integration of local folk and tribal practices, and innovations in mural techniques, including the Jaipur fresco method, European adaptations, and Santal-inspired mud relief murals. The presentation demonstrated how Santiniketan’s collaborative pedagogy redefined the role of art in modern Indian education and public life.

Key Takeaways from the Conference:

• Recognition of India’s vast manuscript wealth and ongoing digitisation efforts.
• Exposure to diverse scholarly perspectives on Indian knowledge systems and their global relevance.
• Opportunities to present and discuss research on Santiniketan murals at an international forum.
• Building academic networks for future collaboration in art history and manuscript studies.