History- Art and Culture of Modern India (Extra Questions)

History- Art and Culture of Modern India (Extra Questions)

1. List the features of major forms of painting during the colonial period.
The features of major forms of painting during the colonial period are Picturesque landscape painting, Portrait painting and History Painting.

2.  Explain how patuas helped in the emergence of new style of art during the colonial period.

i.They carried out artistic tradition; religious themes.

ii. They responded -rapid changes; produced paintings - social and political themes.

iii. Wooden blocks, ink - used to engrave images.

3. Explain the contribution of Raja Ravi Verma and Jamini Roy in the dawn of national art.
a) Raja Ravi Verma: 

i. First artist- tried to develop style assimilation of modern and national elements.

ii. Used western techniques perspective and composition-applied to Indian subjects, styles and themes.

iii. Excelled in Western art of oil painting, realistic life study.

b) Jamini Roy:

gave away expensive canvas and oil paint; opted for inexpensive indigenous materials. turned to the true Bengali tradition of folk arts. Adopted themes of local folk paintings.

4. Which feature of photography during the colonial period did you find the most interesting?
Photography during the colonial period produced more realistic images and appealed to those who preferred exactness. It was the British who led to the arrival of photography in India.

5. What was the contribution of each of the following in the field of performing arts in the colonial period?

 Pt. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar - Music
 Rukmini Devi Arundale- Dance
 Ardeshir Irani- Films

Pt. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar- Music

- He established Gandharva Mahavidyalaya to impart formal training in Hindustani classical music.
- He wrote Sangeet Bal Prakash on ragas.

Rukumani Devi Arundale- Dance
-She founded Kalakshetra in chenna.
-Rukmini Devi Arundale was a reputed dancer and choreographer of Bharatnatyam, an Indian classical dance form.

Ardeshir irani- Films

-Alam Ara is a 1931 film directed by Ardeshir Irani.

- It was the first Indian sound film. 

- Irani recognised the importance that sound would have on cinema, and raced to complete Alam Ara before several contemporary sound films.

6. Explain the importance of the printing press in the colonial period.
-Reformers, political leaders and educated Indians - vehicle for expressing their ideas pertinent to social, religious and political reforms.
-Many used vernacular languages.
- Used to criticise the British policies and their administration.
- Significant role in mobilising public opinion.

7. Describe the changes in literature of Marathi during the colonial period.
The changes in literature of Marathi during the colonial period are :
- The influence of the contact with the western education and culture was evident on the Marathi literature too.
-the Marathi poet Keshavsut broke the traditional style of Marathi poetry.
-Hari Narayan Apte's novel Madhali Sthiti gives the message of social reform.


8. Describe the features of colonial structures in Mumbai.
the monuments constructed are mostly the examples of the Gothic style which has pointed arches and the elongated stuctures.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus- It is an example of the Gothic architectural style gelled with the themes adopted from traditional Indian Architecture. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay and The Gateway of India- - It is a beautiful combination of Hindu brackets, Mughal arches and European classical design. 

9. Picturesque Landscape Painting was executed by? 

Thomas Daniells and William Daniells 

10.This type of painting exhibited the lavish lifestyles, wealth and status of patrons.

Portrait painting 

11.  Name the painting that was based on the Battle of Seringapatam. 

History painting 

12. Name the artist who tried to develop a style by assimilating both modern and national elements.

 Raja Ravi Varma 

13. What was established by Abnindranath Tagore supporting art? 

 – Bengal

14.What did the new generation of artists lay emphasis on? 

A new generation of artists began to lay emphasis on exploring real life components instead of illustrating ancient books. They felt that artists should not restrict themselves to the ancient art forms and rather look for inspiration from living folk art and tribal designs.

15.  Name the scholars who rendered valuable services to Sanskrit literature. 

William Jones, James Prinsep, Samuel Davis, Friedrich Schlegel rendered valuable services to Sanskrit literature. 

16. Name the renowned Urdu writer and poet. 

Mirza Ghalib is renowned Urdu writer and poet. 

17. Name some of the literary works by Munshi Premchand. 

Godan, Gaban and Karmabhumi were some of the literary works by Munshi Premchand. 

18. Who played prominent role in the development of modern Bengali literature? 

 Bankim Chandra Chatterji played an important role in the development of modern Bengali literature.

19.  Why did the scroll painters and potters come to Kalighat? Why did they begin to paint new themes?
The city of Calcutta was emerging as an administrative and commercial centre. It promised opportunities and bright future. The scroll painters and potters came to Kalighat in the hope of finding new patrons and buyers. They closely observed the changes in the society around them and began to paint new themes.

20. Why can we think of Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings as national?
Answer: Raja Ravi Varma painted from Indian mythology. The characters from these mythologies had a pan-India appeal. Hence, Ravi Varma’s paintings can be seen as national.

21. In what way did the British history paintings in India reflect the attitudes of imperial conquerors?

Answer: Imperial history paintings were an attempt to create a public memory of imperial triumphs. Victory was a thing which should be implanted in public memory; both Indian and British. Such paintings were used as tools to showcase the British as invincible and all powerful. The scenes were highly dramatized in such paintings and British soldiers were shown as destroying everything which represented India.

22. Why do you think some artists wanted to develop a national style of art?

Answer: Some artists thought that Ravi Varma’s style of imitative of the west. They wanted to develop a style which could truly capture the essence of the East. They wanted to use the traditional painting styles from India. Hence, they wanted to develop a national style of art.