This painting is titled The Revolt of Virapandya Katta Bommon, 1792-1799. It is painted by M. R. Acharekar (1907-1979) using pencil on paper. The painting is one of the 52 works M. R. Acharekar was commissioned for on the commemorative occasion celebrating the completion of the first hundred years of the freedom movement (1757-1856). When the British first took over parts of Southern India, Veerapandiya Kattabomman, a chieftain of a small locale called Panchalankurichi in Tamil Nadu, was one the first to oppose the British rule despite his initial agreement to pay the taxes to the Company. The taxes levied on the land revenue were incessantly increased, which agitated Veerapandiya Kattabomman and he led one of the first rebellions against the British. His struggle ended in 1799, when he was captured and hanged in Kayathar district of Tamil Nadu. The artist describes the painting with a subtitle that reads- Veerapandiya Katta Bommon. The painting is signed 'M. R. acharekar' in English at the right bottom corner of the painting with brush.
- Identifier
- ngma-03642
- Material
- Paper
- Note
- A Portraitist, watercolourist and an award-winning Film Art Director Murlidhar Ramachandra Acharekar (1907-1979) completed his Diploma in painting from the Govt. College of Maharashtra, Bombay. While still pursuing his education, he became involved in the discipline of Printmaking and Portraiture and soon opened up a lithographic press in Bombay. Post his education he was appointed as Junior Teacher at the Ketkar Institute of Art, Bombay in the year 1923. From 1932-34 he spent two years studying European Art and its techniques at the Royal College of Art, London. While studying in London, Acharekar was chosen to execute some very important commissions as painting the historical event of the inauguration of the Round Table Conference by his late Majesty King George V of the United Kingdom, in 1932 and the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of King George V in 1935, to name a few. Acharekar also emerged as an educator when his famed book called 'Rupadarshini, An Indian Approach to Human Form' was published in 1949; his other books mainly include pencil drawings/ images from Hindu Cave Temples of Ellora and Elephanta. His book 'Apostle of Peace' is a series of the artist's splendid pencil sketches of Jawaharlal Nehru and validates his brilliance as a portraitist. Acharekar was also an excellent watercolourist. The exhibition of his works in watercolour and tempera in 1973 depicted the first hundred years of the freedom movement (1757-1856) and was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. Acharekar is also known for his long-standing association and contribution to the Indian Cinema, his excellence in Art Direction won him many prestigious awards. Acharekar served as president of Cine Art Directors Association of India, Bombay and was President, Bombay Art Society, Bombay, from the years 1972-73. The artist was also awarded with the Padmashree in 1968 by the Govt. of India.
- Pages
- 40.5 x 50.6 cm
- Published in
- India
- Type
- Painting
