The true story behind Abanindranath Tagore’s Bharat Mata painting
Most of us are familiar with the Bharat Mata painting, including those who have not heard of Abanindranath Tagore, the immensely talented artist nephew of Rabindranath Tagore. The painting is very spiritual and calm, showing a beautiful, motherly goddess. But the history behind it is of a violent, turbulent time in pre-Independence India.
When was the Bharat Mata painting created and why?
In the year 1905, the then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon, decided to divide Bengal into two parts under his notorious Divide and Rule policy. The eastern part would be for Muslims, and the western part for Hindus. This policy would create tension among the two religions, who would forget about fighting the British to fight among themselves. Rabindranath was strongly opposed to this and led the movement against the Partition of Bengal, taking to the street to tie rakhis on Muslims. Abanindranath’s painting came at this time as part of the movement to reinforce the idea of a united Indian nation.
What was the inspiration behind the Bharat Mata?
Though protesting against the Partition was the primary reason, the painting drew its inspiration from the beautiful lyrics describing the motherland in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s 1882 novel Anandamath. We all know those lyrics today as our National Song, the ‘Bande Mataram’. Bande Mataram was the slogan of the freedom fighters.
What does the Bharat Mata look like?
She is depicted as a four-armed goddess wearing saffron-coloured robes, holding a book, sheaves of rice, a jaap mala or beads, and a white cloth. There is a halo around her head and white lotuses blooming below her feet. She looks very calm and peaceful. Abanindranath wanted to show both strength and love, virtues of all mothers, and with the song, the novel and the recent upheavals working in his mind, he expressed his emotions in this immortal painting.
How was the Bharat Mata painting popularised?
Abanindranath was also very inspired by the looks, calm but powerful carriage and dedication of Sister Nivedita, the British disciple of Swami Vivekananda. Though Nivedita did not know that, she was mesmerised by the Bharat Mata painting. She wrote about it in the journal Modern Review, vowing to popularise it through prints till its copies are spread all over the country. The effect of Bharat Mata on posters was so powerful that within 4 years of its creation, it was indeed a household image and an inspiration of all freedom fighters.