The essentials
Cultural nationalism is the belief that a nation's identity rests on its culture, history and traditions, and that political freedom must be supported by cultural self-confidence. During the Swadeshi movement (after the partition of Bengal in 1905), Indians boycotted foreign goods and promoted Indian products, education and art. The Bengal School became the art of this movement.
Abanindranath's "Bharat Mata" (1905) is the best-known example. It shows India as a calm, saffron-clad woman with four arms, standing against a soft background. In her hands she holds a book, sheaves of rice, a piece of white cloth and a rosary, symbolising learning, food, clothing and spiritual strength. The image presents the nation as a gentle, giving mother, not a warrior.
Key points
- Art was used to build pride in Indian heritage and to reject the idea that only Western art was "civilised".
- Thinkers like Ananda Coomaraswamy and Sister Nivedita wrote about the value of Indian art.
- Rabindranath Tagore's Santiniketan encouraged a blend of Indian and Asian traditions with village crafts.
- Nandalal Bose's Haripura posters (for the Congress session) celebrated rural Indian life and were linked to Gandhi's ideas.
- Later artists such as Jamini Roy drew on folk traditions like Kalighat painting to create a simple, bold Indian idiom.
Exam tips
- Be ready to explain the symbols in Bharat Mata.
- Connect the Swadeshi movement with the Bengal School.
Common mistakes
- Describing Bharat Mata as a warlike goddess with weapons; Abanindranath's version is calm and nurturing.