100 Shades of Incredible India
by Supriyo Karmakar
Kolkata
Project Description
100 Shades of Incredible India is a large-scale gouache painting series that reinterprets the visual language of the Haripura Congress posters to explore contemporary themes of caste, class, and identity politics.
Expected Impact
Project Overview: "100 Shades of Incredible India" is a large-scale, ongoing body of work comprising 50 sets of paintings, each offering two nuanced shades of narrative perspectives. Through the vivid, textural medium of gouache painting, I delve into the layered complexities of Indian identity, caste divisionism, class structures, and socio-political hierarchies. Inspired by the iconic Haripura Congress posters designed by Nandalal Bose, I have adopted and reinterpreted the same frame and compositional principles used in the original posters. These visual references establish a historical dialogue between India's past nationalist aesthetics and its present socio-political realities. Concept and Methodology: Emulating this approach, my series employs gouache—a medium known for its opacity and matte finish—to achieve bold, realistic depictions of garments and fabrics. The use of gouache allows for meticulous detailing, capturing the intricate textures and patterns that signify various social strata within Indian society. Tempera's quick-drying properties facilitate layering, enabling the exploration of dualities such as visible/invisible and privileged/marginalized within each diptych. The color palette is thoughtfully curated to reflect the socio-economic spectrum represented in the series. From the subdued tones of humble handloom saris to the vibrant hues of opulent brocades, the colors not only enhance visual appeal but also symbolize the complex narratives of identity, caste, and class. By integrating these traditional mediums and techniques, the project establishes a visual dialogue between India's artistic heritage and contemporary socio-political discourse. This fusion underscore the enduring relevance of indigenous art forms in addressing modern issues of representation and social justice. Each diptych paintings—two shades of a narrative—that together explore dualities: visible/invisible, privileged/marginalized, inclusion/exclusion. The garments portrayed range across the socio-economic spectrum, from humble handloom saris to opulent brocades, symbolizing the broad, often conflicting currents of Indian life. Objectives • To critically examine how clothing reflects and enforces social and caste divisions. • To trace the evolution of identity politics in India through visual storytelling. • To pay homage to indigenous Indian modernism while challenging its historical limitations and exclusions. • To create a bridge between the historical context of early 20th-century nationalist art and today's conversations on equality, representation, and social justice. Impact and Relevance "100 Shades of Incredible India" seeks to open a contemplative space for viewers to confront and reflect upon India's layered histories of identity, power, and belonging. By drawing from both historical art traditions and contemporary issues, the project proposes an alternative visual narrative that is inclusive, critical, and reflective of India's lived realities. "100 Shades of Incredible India” it offers a deeply relevant and powerful lens through which to explore India’s complex socio-cultural fabric. This project uniquely combines historical visual traditions—specifically the Haripura Congress posters—with contemporary themes such as caste, class, and identity politics, creating a rich and layered narrative. By using clothing as a metaphor for social stratification, the work becomes both accessible and profound, engaging viewers in critical reflection on issues that remain central to India’s social reality. The project not only honors indigenous modernist art but also challenges its boundaries, making it both a homage and a critique—thus contributing meaningfully to ongoing conversations about representation, equality, and historical memory in Indian art and society.
Applicant Background
My previous work has consistently explored materiality, memory, and identity through drawing, textiles, and installation. In past projects, I have employed line drawing as a central method to evoke the texture of fabric—an approach that combines both visual sensitivity and emotional resonance. My ongoing engagement with traditional practices such as Kantha and Lambani embroidery, along with my in-depth study of craft-based storytelling, informs my understanding of fabric as a narrative medium. I have also developed participatory installations and visual works that examine socio-political hierarchies, often through the lens of personal and collective memory. These experiences have equipped me with the conceptual depth, technical discipline, and contextual sensitivity needed to bring this project to life—bridging the personal with the political through the simple, meditative act of drawing lines.
Resources Needed
- Funding
- Mentorship
- Visibility
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