M V Dhurandhar

Mahadev Vishwanath Dhurandhar (1867-1944), one of the well known pre-colonial Indian artists, was endowed with an influential art career. His paintings depict the intricate passage of time made alive through definite lines. Illuminating each facade in his paintings, Dhurandar takes us to an era that provides a glimpse of the glorious past and portrayal of deep-rooted Indian ethos.

Born in a prestigious family, Dhurandar was the first Indian director of the Sir J.J School of Art. He was honoured eminently by many patrons for his prodigious paintings, vast contributions to the art pedagogy and its reinvention in the early to mid 20th century. Drawing inspiration from painters like Raja Ravi Verma and Abalal Rahman, Dhurandar not only conquered the art scene with his exceptional artworks but also made a considerable impact on Indian art education. 

Known for experimenting with divergent genres like landscapes, portraits, postcards, book-illustrations, events from history and mythology, Dhurandar was versatile in his craft. But his most preferred style was documenting the social interactions of masses, like in his paintings, Scene of Hindu Marriage Ceremony and Women at Work.

Dhurandar worked in watercolours, oil paints,  and ink for black and white drawings, and sketches. His notable works express a stimulating effect and devotion to his practice. Thought-provoking as they appear, even the minute details of his oeuvre are illustrated with clean, and refined rendition. Dhurandar covers an array of depictions with colours, ranging from vivid hues to subtle layered shades of black and white. Notably, Dhurandhar apart from creating artworks also made posters as a part of advertising campaigns, which take us back to the time that was on the brink of Indian independence.

Bridging the gap between the Indian and the Western style of art, Dhurandhar was widely patronized, with some of his renowned paintings housed at various palaces and museums in India, Buckingham Palace, and South Kensington Palace, United Kingdom.