Born in Bihar, India on December 1882, Nandlal Bose rose to become one of modern India's more prominent artists, committed to both classical and folk art along with its underlying spirituality and symbolism, and a responsibility towards shaping the self-consciousness, choices and moral virtues of the people. The early philosophical inspirations came from Havell, Coomaraswamy and Sister Nivedita, while his interactions with the Japanese painters in Calcutta influenced him to realize the significance of the artistic heritage.

"At fifteen, Nandalal Bose went to Calcutta to continue his education. There he studied at the Central Collegiate School for his Entrance Examination and then joined the Genera...