The Art by Dr Ved Prakash Bhardwaj - HTML preview

The Art

(1905–1972)

Abani Sen

I had earlier had the opportunity to see a few the 1940s to later decades, reveal the remarkable works by Abani Sen, but this was the first breadth and originality of the artist’s vision.

time I was able to experience his art on such

A table in the gallery displayed books,

a comprehensive scale. Meeting the artist himself journals, and exhibition catalogues related to

was, of course, impossible, but on 11 July 2026, Abani Sen. Among them was Professor Ranveer

when I visited the residence of his son, Prabir

Saxena’s Art, Beauty and Life, published in 1967.

Sen, to see the family collection, it felt as though There were also several books and periodicals

I had, in a way, encountered Abani Sen himself.

in Bengali. Going through these materials was

Plans for the visit had been made and postponed

an enriching experience in itself. Throughout

several times, but they finally materialized on

my visit, Prabir Sen spoke about his father’s

that day.

life, artistic philosophy, and relationships with Prabir Sen has created a gallery within

fellow artists, and I found myself listening with his home to preserve his father’s works. Many

complete fascination.

paintings were displayed on the walls, while

Abani Sen was born in 1905 in Dhaka, now

others had been placed on the floor because parts in Bangladesh. He occupies an important place

of the gallery were undergoing renovation. He

among the artists who helped shape the course

also regularly undertakes the restoration of his of modern Indian art. At a time when the Bengal

father’s older works. The paintings, ranging from School was largely imbued with romanticism, Sen

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