History Paintings & Portraits of Indian Leaders

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Atul Bose, Oil on Canvas

Location: Banquet Hall

Born on 3rd December 1884 in Bihar, freedom fighter and the leader of the Indian National Movement, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, in 1946 became the chairman of the Constituent Assembly which framed the constitution of India and later became the first President of independent India from 1950-1962. He joined the Indian National Congress in 1911. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna and was the only President to have been elected twice in the office. He died on February 28, 1963.

This full length exposé of Shri Rajendra Prasad shows him standing against octagonal stone pillars. He wears a black bandhgala. A white churidar accentuates his slender legs, further marked by black shoes. A conical Gandhi topi adds importance to his head. The eyes with thick grey eyebrows establish their gaze towards the viewer. With fair skin and edges of grey hair peering through the Gandhi topi, Dr. Prasad rests his right hand on a red chair.

Subdued shades on octagonal pillars in the background show European realistic style of Atul Bose. Born in 1898, Bose was a painter and graphic artist who studied at the College of Arts and Crafts in Calcutta followed by a stint at Royal Academy of Arts in London. He later became the Principal of Calcutta Art School from 1945-47.