GAGONENDRANATH THAKUR

(b Calcutta, 18 Sept 1867; d Calcutta, 14 Feb 1938). Painter and designer, nephew of (1) Rabindranath Tagore. Largely self-taught, he began painting in 1905, probably inspired by contacts with traditional Japanese painters in 1903; East Asian influence is visible in his early ink paintings (e.g. Jeevansmriti illustrations, 1911; Santiniketan, Nandan Mus.) and watercolours (e.g. Chaitanya series, c. 1913; Calcutta, Rabindra-Bharati Soc.). His later works show a personalized use of post-Cubist conventions (e.g. House Mysterious, c. 1922-5; Santiniketan, Nandan Mus.). He was also a versatile pioneer in lithography and design in India. He issued three portfolios of lithographed social satire between 1917 and 1921 and designed 'Oriental'-style interior decoration to replace prevalent Victorian models. He also took a keen interest in theatre, nurtured different art organizations and wrote a book in the manner of Lewis Carroll, Bhodor Bahadur ('Otter the Great'; Calcutta, 1956).

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BHONDOR BAHADUR