By Jenica Amalita
Our rich and diverse tribal and folkloric heritage has been depicted across the Constitution’s many pages by Nandalal Bose and his team from Kala Bhawan in Shantiniketan– transforming a legal document into a living narrative of our collective past.
Earthy tones, intricate borders, and striking scenes decorate our Constitution, drawing inspiration from the Ajanta Cave, Chola, Mughal and Deccani Miniature Art. Each page is a tapestry of India’s landscapes, histories and legends.
Taking five years to illustrate, the Constitution of India patiently traces the nation’s diverse and rich cultural, social, and political journey through its pages.
The Constitution has a list of 22 Illustrations, categorised into 12 historical periods: Mohenjodaro Period, Vedic Period, Epic Period, Mahajanapada and Nanda Period, Mauryan Period, Gupta Period, Medieval Period, Muslim Period, British Period, India’s Freedom Movement, Revolutionary Movement for Freedom, and Natural Features.
The Indus Valley Civilisation comes alive through a masterfully depicted Mohenjodaro seal of a Humped bull illustrated by artist Kripal Singh Shekhawat. The idea of progress and vibrancy of the past civilisation is brought to life and interlinked with the hope of ushering in a new era of Indian civilisation in this depiction. Through this illustration, a constitutional exploration of India’s history begins to unfold.
Animal, floral, and geometric borders that frame the Constitution’s pages echo the elegance of Mughal and Rajput miniatures. The delicate balance of the Mughal and Rajput styles can be seen as art transcending the political conflicts of the past and allowing for unity, a hope that even our Constitution was built upon.
Jamuna Sen, Rajniti and Nandalal Bose’s depiction of Mahavir Jain meditating between two trees. One of the only coloured art in the Constitution, this Jain- style depiction is characterised by rounded figures, bold outlines and bright colours derived from natural pigments.
Ajanta art came to be appreciated for its ability to portray reality while also enabling imagination in depicting spiritual narratives. Bose’s decision to utilise the Ajanta art style can be seen in his rendering of the cover page of our Constitution with delicate lotus motifs embossed in gold.
The Constitution is also home to portraits of various leaders involved in the freedom struggle such as Rani Lakshmibai, Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose.
Alongside pride in the leaders of our independence movement, the Constitution also celebrates the diversity of our natural terrain depicting the Himalayas, the desert and the ocean, all of which form our natural boundaries.
Our Constitution beautifully visualises the unwritten laws of the community found in Folklore- moral codes, shared ethics and collective wisdom. The illustrated document is a reminder of the Indian identity as rooted in our stories, songs and crafts.
Much like Folklore, the Indian Constitution carries the voice of the people- guided by the ever-enduring principles of Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.