Скачать или смотреть The Artist the British Tried to Erase

Chittaprosad Bhattacharya (1915–1978) was a powerful Indian political artist whose work reflected the upheaval of mid-20th century India. Self-taught and deeply engaged in activism, he used pen-and-ink sketches, linocuts, and woodcuts to challenge both colonial and feudal oppression.

When the Bengal Famine struck in 1943, Chittaprosad traveled through devastated regions, documenting what he saw—starving villagers, skeletal bodies, and unbearable suffering. His sketches were published in CPI-leftist papers and compiled into a booklet titled Hungry Bengal. The British authorities swiftly banned it and destroyed nearly every copy; only the copy he’d sent to his mother survived.

Beyond famine documentation, Chittaprosad’s artistry was a fierce commentary on injustice—his mass-produced prints were often unsigned and inexpensive, intended for the public, yet today they are valued by collectors.

Read more:
On Wikipedia for a complete biography and historical overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chittap...
For thoughtful reflections on his art and activism: https://prinseps.com/research/the-art...

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