Bengal School Painted Postcards
Communication has undergone a revolutionary transformation over the last two centuries. Today, we live in an era of instant messaging through email and texting. However, there was a time when handwritten letters were the only form of communication. These letters, though often delayed, carried a deep sense of personal attachment and emotional resonance.
As with everything in our world, the art of letter-writing also evolved. In the late 19th century, postcards became the new norm for communication. Postcards often featured illustrations or photographs, introducing a new form of storytelling and memory-sharing.
During this period, Bengal witnessed a cultural shift with the rise of art. The Government School of Art was established in 1854, and around the same time, Rabindranath Tagore was developing Shantiniketan. Several young students, including Abanindranath Tagore and Nandalal Bose, joined these institutions. The students of these schools often communicated with each other through postcards, many of which featured beautiful illustrations that enhanced their appeal.
Several postcards by Nandalal Bose have been discovered, filled with exquisite illustrations. In this exhibition, we showcase the postcards of Bose's students, such as Satyen Bishi and Shailesh Deb Barma, written to Pulin Behari Sen. Through this collection, we honour the art of postcards and the creativity of these talented artists.
- Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya