Class-XI
Prose
Chapter- 5
The Place of Art in Education
-Nandalal Bose
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| The Place of Art in Education Broad Questions and Answers |
Broad Questions and Answers (Long Questions and Answers)
1) “Will art give us a livelihood?” – How does Nandalal Bose answer this question?
OR
What is the difference between fine art and functional art? “Will art give us a livelihood?”
Ans :- Nandalal Bose, a renowned and experienced artist and art teacher has answered this question in a straight forward manner. He says that fine art is pure art which exists for its own sake. It has no obligations to life. It liberates our mind from the constraints of sorrows and conflicts of our daily life and gives us aesthetic delight. Functional art on the other hand refers to the utility aspect of art, that is, its influence on life and society. With its magic touch, functional art brings beauty to the objects of our life, and in an indirect way provides us with means of livelihood. Nandalal Bose here warns his readers against the harsh consequences of neglecting art from the sphere of our daily life would be harmful both from the aesthetic point of view and the economic point of view.
2) “There are some amongst us who think that art is the domain for the rich and the pleasure-loving.” - Explain.
Ans :- Nandalal Bose thinks that the common people generally have an unenthusiastic approach towards art. They think that art is the exclusive domain for the rich and the pleasure loving and the common people have nothing to do with it. They do not realize the fact that the vitality of a work of art lies in its sense of beauty and order, not in its monetary value. For example, a poor and uneducated member of a tribal community keeps his hut neat and clean and arranges his utensils and beds in an orderly fashion, whereas a rich college student keeps his clothes and belongings in a disorderly manner in his hostel rooms. The author is pained to see the widespread disproportion and lack of taste in the present society. He has often seen the educated public display bad photographs side by side with good paintings. He has seen hostel students hang shirts from picture frames and litter cups and combs on the study table. It is often seen that people wear open-breasted jacket with the ‘dhoti’ or high-heeled shoes with the saree. This kind of disproportion in dress and confusion in interior decoration sure signs of our poverty in aesthetic sensibilities. People in general consider the utility aspect of things, not their aesthetic aspect. This is the utility aspect of things which falls in the province of functional art. While fine art like painting, music etc. liberates our mind from the mundane aspects of life, functional art with its magic touch brings beauty to the objects of our daily use and provides us with means of livelihood. So, to banish art from the sphere of our daily life is harmful both from the aesthetic point of view and the economic point of view.
3) What are the roles of language and literature? How are they linked to art?
Ans :- Man has the basic superiority to other creatures. He has a language to speak, to communicate with his fellow beings. This language, again, endows him with the power to create literature, science, philosophy, and so on. He expresses in them, with the aid of his language, what he may feel, think, or do.
The variety in expression need be achieved through art. Indeed, art aids the human power of expression, not only through language, but also through its varied wings of art. These wings are dance, music, painting and the like. Man is a complex creature. His totality requires the just blending of his various inborn gifts. Thus language and literature go with art.
4) What steps, according to Nandalal Bose, should be adopted to introduce and materialise the idea of art education in India?
OR
“Let us discuss now in a general way the remedy for this.”—Discuss the remedy proposed.
Ans :- Nandalal Bose in his ‘The Place of art in Education’ has expressed his dissatisfaction at the present condition of art education in India. He has suggested the measures to be adopted in the interest of an art-friendly environment in schools and colleges. According to Bose. The roots of art education lie in the observation of nature and the study of art objects under the guidance of expert men. Training in fine and functional art will develop the students’ power of observation and give them better insight into literature, science and philosophy. Good paintings and other specimens of art are to be displayed in the classrooms, libraries and studies of the students. Good books on art with ample illustrations should be made available to them. The students should be introduced to great specimens of art of different countries through films. They should be taken to museums and picture galleries, so that they can acquire first-hand knowledge of different kinds of art. These experiences will help much in arousing their aesthetic vision and strengthening their power of judgement. Seasonal festivals should be organized to bring the students in close contact with the season’s fruits and flowers. Lastly, each school or college should organize an annual art festival in which each student will participate with something he has made with help in arousing the aesthetic sensibilities of the students and live a life of joy and pleasure.
5) How does, according to Nandalal Bose, the lack in the aesthetic sense affect life?
Ans :- The aesthetic sense expresses to the intimate concern for beauty, decency, culture and delicacy. This is required for the total development of man. The lack of aesthetic sense makes a mind narrow and confined when the aesthetic sense is missing, surroundings become wretched. These are all full of dirt and disorder. A filthy state with rubbish and spat betel-juice here and there presents a despicable scene all over. Unfortunately enough the present Indian generation has to learn the values of Indian art and sculpture and painting from foreign masters.
6) What does Nandalal Bose say of museums and picture-galleries in the context of art-education?
Ans :- One of the recommendations of Nandalal Bose, in connection with art-education, is the regular visits to museums and picture galleries by the students of an institution. Of course, they must be accompanied by their qualified teachers. They will thereby have a direct contact with great works of art and painting under the supervision on of the teachers. Their aesthetic vision will be thereby broadened. Their aesthetic sensibility will be awakened, too. They will be true worships of art.
7) What does Nandalal Bose say of the communion of the art-students with Nature?
Ans :- Nandalal Bose in his ‘The Place of Art in Education’ emphasizes the attachment of students with Nature to help art-education. The students should go to the bosom of Nature to hold their seasonal festivals. They are to be in close touches with different natural objects – flowers and fruits etc. They should enjoy the rich fields and lotus ponds in autumn, the carnival of Palash and Shimul flowers in spring. Secondly, they are to enrich their eyes and minds by participating actively in Nature’s own festivals in different seasons. For these seasonal festivals must be organized on special holidays. Aesthetic sense comes upon the students when they get acquainted with Nature.
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