Urbanization & Indian Artists

The city as a motif presents itself often in the art of India and the city as a symbol has come to encapsulate infinite meanings and connotations but central to a city are its inhabitants and their interactions with each other as well as the city itself. Urban environments provide a unique setting which has come to transform the way humans interact and socialize.

The transformation of social relations because of urban environments is due to the phenomenon of industrialization which has, since the 18th century, led to an unprecedented revolution in the way humans relate to each other.

In short, the city embraces millions of people which manifests into a large medley of life, high in energy which is constantly fluctuating.

F.N Souza, along with many other Indian artists of the 1950's through the 1970's, used the city as a staging ground for exploring the inescapable social and physical realities of city life and its impact on human relations. He was one of the first Indian artists to gain international attention post-independence.

Although he relied heavily on expressionist styles, many of his paintings depict city life as an environment wrought with struggle, hardship, and sadness. The painting below depicts an urban landscape in front of a very ominous sky... also note the rigidity of the buildings in relation to the more scattered tree.

Ramachandran painted in an expressionist style which poignantly reflected the angst of urban life. The paintings were large, akin to murals, and comprised powerful figuration.

The painting below relates to many themes of the city - especially in regards to lack of privacy, small oppressive spaces, jail like structures and the nudity represents fragility of man. The painting also presents an interesting depiction of city life as a jail - pointing at the entrapping nature of urban life and alienation from those who live within feet of one's self.