Analysis of contribution of some renowned artists of the Era of the Marxist Cultural Movement of Bengal

Abstract

Undoubtedly during the era of colossal devastation and bloodbath occurred due to the World War II , famine , communal riots , Partition of India and refugee crisis emerged the Progressive Cultural Movement of 1940s that made its imprint on intellectual and cultural life of Bengal through organizations like the All Indian Progressive Writers’ Association ( 1936),  the Anti- Fascist Writers’ and Artists’  Association (1942 ),  Association of friends of the Soviet Countrymen ( 1941), the I.P.T.A ( 1943) and the Youth Cultural Institute ( 1940) etc.  Jaynul  Abedin , Ramkinkar , Chittaprashad , Gobardhan Aash and Ramkinkar were some of the most eminent artists of that particular historical period and the Calcutta Group based artists such as Nirad  Majumdar , Suvo Thakur , Gopal Ghosh , Prankrishna Pal , Paritosh Sen and Pradosh  Dasgupta  tried their level best to express trauma and triumph of contemporary population of Bengal and especially struggle for survival of famine- stricken common people was  depicted through famous paintings of Chittaprashad and Jaynul Abedin . In world of Somnath Hore and Debabrata Mukhopadhyay’s art reflecting social realism one can observe fathomless pain of poverty- stricken people and rebellious spirit against all kinds of suppression and oppression. In this article I tried my best to express contribution of some renowned artists of the Marxist Cultural Movement of Bengal who upheld harsh reality of stratified society through their painting and sculpture.