Sociology Thesis: Development of Visual Arts in Andhra Pradesh

This sociology thesis examines the contributions of painters from Andhra Pradesh to Indian art during the postcolonial period, tracing the history of art colleges in South India, including those in Chennai, Hyderabad, and Andhra. It analyzes the development of visual art forms after the end of colonial rule, focusing on the emergence of various aspects related to visual arts in Andhra Pradesh. The thesis explores the impact of nationalism, society, and the colonial invasion on art, considering the changes in art forms before and after imperialism. The study investigates the influence of South Indian visual art styles, economic conditions, and the emotional aspects of the nationalist movement. It covers the period from 1947 to 2013, evaluating the original works of renowned painters and the influences on their art forms, including the impact of art schools from Bengal and Mumbai. The objectives include understanding artists, motivations, socio-economic and political contexts, the role of formal education, institutions, and the relationship between creators and consumers of art. The study aims to map visual arts in Andhra Pradesh, considering modernization and regional variations, with a focus on socio-economic factors. It also discusses the impact of British colonialism, exposure to Western art, and the influence of figures like E.B. Havell and Rabindranath Tagore. The study aims to analyze the struggle of Andhra Pradesh in the freedom struggle and the contribution of the artists to the struggle for freedom. The study explores the role of painters in different schools of art and their struggles within the transition that took place in the domain of art with modernization.

Running Head: SOCIOLOGY
Sociology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Abstract
Capacity and the characteristic of the study
The primary area of concern of the essay is the painters from the state of Andhra Pradesh that
maps the contribution of those painters in the postcolonial arts during the period termed as
Postcolonial era. In order to conduct the study the histories of the colleges residing in south
that dealt with arts. A few examples of such colleges are the ones situated in Chennai, that
included the Art college of Hyderabad, tracing it to the Jaateeya Kalasala and fine Arts
College in Andhra.
While most of the study concerned with visual artist revolved around the profession, this
particular study shifts its concern towards analyzing the development of visual art form
during the period after the overthrown of the colonial rule, particularly in the state of Andhra
Pradesh. As a result the scope of the thesis deals with the emergence of various aspects
associated with visual arts. India has always been counted upon as the oldest civilization of
world and has been regarded all over the world for its contribution of decimal and the concept
of zero. However, a darker period in the history of this nation was seen between the period of
1700 to 1947 till it gained its independence from the crude and deceiving westerner from the
north of the hemisphere. Owing to the colonization, a lot of changes have been noticed in the
socio cultural aspect of the nation which was intrinsically diverse from its very beginning. In
the history of imperialism, westerners colonizing India, has been marked as their most
strategic invasion as per the valuable asset of the country is concerned. The first segment of
the thesis would therefore concern an extensive discussion of the movement of nationalism,
society and the impact of the movement on the formation of the state and its concerned
ideology. Such extensive discussion on the aspects of nationalism and nationalist movements

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would be aiding for the researchers understanding of changes that happened within the state
of Andhra Pradesh because of colonial invasion in overall Indian nation.
Therefore, the thesis consider the development as it has been noticed in the form of art
particularly in the southern states of the country particularly Andhra Pradesh. The thesis can
be considered as a comparative study between the status of the arts in the state before the
imperialist invasion and the changes that has been brought about in the art form because of
the invasion. The study involves the discussion on the area where the traditional aspects of
Indian visual arts from the state of Andhra Pradesh, which underwent changes during the
colonial era.
Importance of the study
The thesis involves a close study of the impact of the south Indian style of visual art and the
concern for economic condition that involved the art and influenced the development and the
changes in its manifestation. It also imperative to understand the emotional aspect of the
nationalist movement and the ones who were wholeheartedly involved in the movement.
Thus, it can be anticipated that the emotional attributes of the nationalism are most likely to
have an impact on the art form that developed alongside with it. The thesis basically takes
into consideration the time period of seven decades from 1947 till the year of 2013 to study
the changes the development of modification experienced by the art form in the country’s
southern side, long after the colonial imposition went over. The thesis is concerned with field
based study and evaluate the original works of the renowned painters from conducting a close
evaluation of their artistic style and the inspiration and the factors that had its impact on their
art forms. The thesis thus considers different schools of visual arts that have been practiced in
the state of Andhra Pradesh to conduct an all-inclusive and extensive study.

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The thesis aims at extensively examining the styles of artistry and the influences that
brought notable changes in the traditional features of different schools of arts located within
the geographical domain of Andhra Pradesh. The study of the influences is not restricted
within the impact of westerners’ interventions but also takes into consideration the impact of
the art schools from the province of Bengal and Mumbai, then Bombay. As the period
involved in the discussion experienced a movement towards modernization, the implication
of the same will be studied in the course of the study.
Indian by the virtue of its diverse tradition of culture experienced a rich and extensive
exchange of idea and inspirations that took place between the practioners of different art
forms spread over different geographical locations. The colonial invasion and along with that
invasion of ideas have been accepted by the traditional practitioners of art form who modified
them to suit their own intrinsic form. However, such new adaptation of the inspirations of
westerners’ invasion did not erase out the indigenous form of art or the indigenous
characteristic that allowed the Indian form of art to sickout of the other forms of art. The
objectives of the thesis can be noted down as follows
1. To understand the domain of the artist and their artworks
2. To excavate the factors of motivation and inspiration in the context of the struggles
that the artists had to go through
3. To examine the soci-economic context of the artist
4. To understand the implications of political context of the period concerned and the
linguistic aspect of the colonial invasion and the overthrow of the leaders as a process
of linguistic modification.
5. To evaluate the contribution of the formal education in paintings and visual arts as it
has been delivered by different schools concerned with fine arts.

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6. To understand the implication of bodies or institutions like exhibition centers,
galleries and critics in shaping the trend and the adjoined changes in the form
7. To evaluate the relationship between the creator of the art and those devouring it
The aim of the study is to map the practice of visual arts in the state of Andhra Pradesh
considering the factor of modernization and the variation of the same with their own regional
variation as it is apparent in the form of the arts that concerns the particular thesis paper. The
time frame within which the regional variation of modernization has been placed
approximately begins at 1956 when the formation of the state took place by its separation or
deviation from the Madras Presidency to 2013.
All the objectives as it has been enumerated in the earlier segment will include the lenses
of
Socioeconomic factors in dwelling with them where the factors intrinsic to society and the
economic conditions of those who involved within it. The advantage or the bright side of the
British colonialism can be noted in the fact that it created the gateway or exposed the Indian
subcontinent to the rest of the world and as a result inspired the flow of inspiration from
different part of the world. It helped in mitigating the orthodoxical ideals of the nation which
was rich in its intrinsic cultural resources.
An exposure to the English art can be noted in the work of earnest Havell, popularly
known as E.B Havell, inspired Rabindra Nath Tagore who introduced the aspect of
individualism and the notion of freedom through the inspiration drawn by him from the art of
Havells and exposed the young populations to the ideals that he had inculcated from west.
Such advent and intervention of western philosophy opened up the perspective of the
intellectuals from India who learned to adopt to the changing environment. Such changes
were noyt only apparent in the intellectual domain but can also be noted in the areas where

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religion and societal aspects are concerned. Such reforms in the peoples ways of thinking
were manifest in its implication in different forms of arts as well as literature such as poetry
and novels. During the concerned period , Bengal happened to be the stronghold of the
Romantic Movement that took place in the circle of intellect and art of India where the
pioneers were Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra.
First college concerned with the discipline of Art was established in Machilipatnam of
Andhra Pradesh under the name of Jateeya Kalasala. In order to understand the implication of
colonial invasion on the different forms of visual art is concerned it is imperative to have an
understanding of the status of the Indian visual arts dominating the southern part of the
country before the imperialist came in. The style of a particular artist is characterized by the
geographical and cultural location they have been placed along with the historical context of
the time when they inhabited. As a result artist who have operated in a similar geographical,
historical and societal framework exhibited similar kinds of attributes in their work.
However, in contrast to the situations where difference in attributes in arts can be
mapped, it has been seen that generalized attributes of arts can be divided on the basis of
attributes that influence them. The styles can be cultural for example the Aztec style from the
Mesoamerica, while there can be historic styles as it has been noticed the implication of
Gothic inspiration in the arts from parts of Europe. Other segments of styles includes the
impressionist art and the other dominated by schools. Such classification of art on the basis of
different styles deployed in the art provides on with a firm framework upon which one can
place the study of the history of art. It assists one in situating the history of art in socio
cultural context in order to formulate an extensive of the art in its own socio cultural context
unfamiliar to us.

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The aim of the researcher in this domain is to analyze the struggle of the state of
Andhra Pradesh in particular in the context if the freedom struggle and its contribution to the
nationwide struggle for freedom as a whole. It will be explored by the researcher in this
context how the work of the artists particularly the painters concerned with Visual fine arts
contributed to the struggle for freedom in order to achieve a specific style for the Indian form
of visual arts, only intrinsic to the country. This includes the art schools that are being
established in the geographical domain of Chennai.
Purpose of the Study
1. The importance of the contemporary artists from Andhra Pradesh in the context of the
Indian art, primarily in the period after the Independence till current time.
2. The factors influencing or creating strong impact on the painters and their art form
during the period when the independence was still to be achieved.
3. The contribution of the painters in different schools of the art concerned namely the
ones in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and few other privatized companies.
4. The role of the painters and the struggle that they undertook to thrive within the
transition that took place in the domain of art with modernization.
Limitations of the Study
The limitation is invested in the studies incapability to thrive deeply into the context
of eminent artist of the period of interest of the topic. Rather the study concentrates its focus
upon the major styles dominant in the period. The thesis does not dwell much to talk about
the separation of painters from the state where their root can be traced back to the state of
Andhra Pradesh rather the concentration is based on the thematic aspect like folk, abstract,
tantric and many similar others. This study also does not consider the contribution of

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privatized organization in the domain of art and in mapping its influence since post-
independence era.
1. The limitations therefore lie in the fact
2. To identify and scrutinize upon those artist who have been left out of the limelight
3. To dwell into the gallery catalogues and the concerned information from regarding the
critics, historians and artists intrinsically linked to this field.
4. To look into the availability of the resources particularly the original works done by
the artist, access to the photographs of those original works and to those of the artists
themselves
5. The ultimate aim of the study is therefore study and identify the contribution made
nby different artists including the ones who deviated from the conventional mode of
training and adopted the self-training mode.
Methodology
Following methods have been adopted by the researcher to conduct the research:
Method involving historical approach
Through this method, the researcher would try to visit museum, libraries, churches,
studios and painters, which will be an intrinsic part of conducting the research. The research
will take into consideration the ethnographic aspect of the painters both born in Andhra
Pradesh and those born outside the state however settled there afterwards. These painters will
be considered on the basis of the their works and the profiles of the painters who belong from
the post-independence era. The study has based its area of concern to the painters from
Andhra and the contribution that has been made by them and the influence that they went
through. However, the thesis seeks to move beyond the territory of its concern to discuss the

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socio political impact that has been neglected alongside their economic conditions, which
might have tremendous influence on their work. The premise of this thesis also takes into
consideration different philosophical ideals followed by the followed by the painters which
includes the ideals of nationalism, influence on the art from the ideals imbibed in the
traditional attributes of the place of their belonging. The historical aspect will also take into
consideration the influence of the various schools concerned with fine arts and their
contribution in spreading the art form. The method will be used to put the painters concerned
in the study into different categories based on the style involved, the medium used, their
region, economic conditions and many adjoined factors.
B. Method of conducting surveys
Surveys will be useful for the researcher in finding out the styles deployed by the
renowned painters, the mediums that have been used by them and the factors that influenced
their art work which existed by the virtue of the area they belong from. The survey will be
primarily conducted on the artists who are self-taught such as Sattiraju Laxmi Narayan,
Vaddadhi Papaiah and similar significant others. The research can be conducted by getting
reviews from the artists through the usage of Questionnaires. The method will be useful in
evaluating the conditions of their lives including the different aspects that was formulated
before the independence, considering the aspects of nature and the knowledge of the painters
concerned with academia as well as their economic conditions.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis of any thesis seeks to generalize the concept of the researcher
concerning the thesis that demands validation through the course of the research by the
researcher. In the ground level the hypothesis many considered as an idea nurtured by the
researcher, that demands extensive research and dwelling on the part of the researcher to

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validate their proposition. The hypothesis of my research is to create an extensive research
that will consider the identity of the and the intrinsic aspects of the concerned artist and the
school of art that they belonged to.
 The research will exhibit that tradition and the ideals of modernity are not ibn
contrasting opposition with each other but the component of both the standards can be
considered as a part of the same process.
 The highlight will be placed on the work of the artist belonging from the locations of
Andhra, Vishakhapatnam, Hyderabad and other areas concerned with the art form
however independently. This includes the Chitrakala Parishath, Amalapuarm, VSP as
well as the ones who transformed the art along with promoting it in Andhra Pradesh.
 The focus will be placed on the artist who have trained themselves in the art form by
their own intrinsic virtues like Bapu and Vaddadhi Papaiah
Synopsis
The structure of the thesis has been divided into six segments or chapters concerned
with both the empirical and historical findings of the study. While chapters 1, 2 and 3 will be
concerned with the historical findings of the study emphasizing its concern on the cultural
and socio political context of the art for as well as its practitioners. The concluding three
chapters will revolve around the findings gathered from the surveys conducted upon the
artists from Andhra primarily the ones who are self taught. This will include an extensive
dwelling on the moments that are of crucial importance to the state of Andhra Pradesh like
the Jai Andhra Movement along with that formation of the state and the ideal concerned with
it. The impact of westerners philosophy on the curriculums of the arts schools those have
been established in Andhra Pradesh and the formation of the state along with that the

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linguistic aspect of state formation are the two issues which will be dealt with utmost
importance in the thesis.
The first chapter will be concerned with formation of Andhra Pradesh as a linguistic
state. The concern of this chapter are the factors those influenced the era before independence
as well as the influence of the Bengal school will be evaluated. The second chapter is
concerned with conducting a review of the literature concerned with the topic of influence as
well as the style deployed by the artist during the concerned period. The concern of the third
chapter is to conduct a detailed and extensive study of the painters and their working styles,
keeping in context the information that are concerned with an educational background,
median used by them as well as the individualistic style as well as the characteristics of the
painters. The research methodology of the thesis places its focus on both primary and the
secondary data. Secondary source includes sample, questionnaires and the interviews
conducted as well as the analysis of the information collected from library source. The fifth
and the sixth chapter are the primary ones as it concerns characteristic and the styles of the
individual painters in its dealing.

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Introduction
The study of this thesis concerns the painter as well as the contributions made by
them including the influences that they had undergone in the course of their life as well as
their work in the post-independence scenario. The thesis will consider the socio economic as
well as the political context of the painters in order to map the influence on their works. The
ideologies of nationalism those were prominent in the time period concerned as well as the
ones from the folk and tradition. The influence will be traced from the attributes that the art
form inculcates from different schools concerned with the art forms. The impact of the
establishment of different regional bodies in promoting and transitioning the art form will be
considered as a primary pivoting point of the thesis.
The research conducted in order formulate the hypothesis in the thesis will include the
researcher conducting surveys using questionnaires. The findings of the surveys will be
revealing of the trends those were being followed by the artist in their paintings. The surveys
will also trace the impact of liberalization on the work of the artists. The research will move
beyond the point of evaluating the influence on the art work to consider the socio economic
factors as an influencing factor on the work of art concerned in the case. It will be of certain
difficulties to trace the influence of the era before independence on a time period of more
than 70 years in a post-independence time frame. It is equally a task of difficulty to objectify
the impact of Independence and the intrinsic contributing factors in the discourse of history.
It provides one with minimum option for dwelling with ones’ life as the span considered is
short, as it has happened in my case. It is up to one to evaluate the influences or the factors of
their concern in the context of a particular movement or incident.
The attributes of beauty that are sublime in nature are an intrinsic feature of Indian art.
Such beauty evokes a sense of ecstasy and it requires no further consideration that such