Long questions of The Place of Art in Education by Bose are discussed here with answers (long question answer the place of art in education) for the students of class 11 under wbchse board.
CONTENTS:
- What does Nandalal Bose observe on the role of language and literature ? How does he assert the necessity of their link with art?
- What arguments does Nandalal Bose offer to introduce regular education in the sphere of art?
- How does, according to Nandalal Bose, the lack in the aesthetic sense affect life?
- Is art ‘the domain for the rich and the pleasure-loving’? How does Nandalal Bose answer this question ?
- Some pose the question, “Will art give us a livelihood? How does Nandalal Bose answer the question?
- “There are some amongst us who think that art is the domain for the rich and the pleasure- loving”- Summarize the author’s observations?
- What steps, according to Nandalal Bose, are to be adopted to introduce and materialize the idea of art education in India ?
What does Nandalal Bose observe on the role of language and literature ? How does he assert the necessity of their link with art?
Ans. Man is the ‘roof and crown of all created objects and he has the basic superiority to other creatures. He has language to speak and communicate with his fellow beings. This language endows him with the power to invent literature, science, philosophy, and so on. He flourishes their fields with the help of his language. This is definitely an important aspect of the language in human society.
But the expression that comes through language is regular, rather stereo-typed. Variety can make this more impressive and interesting. Art can never help to achieve this variety in expression. Indeed, art aids to the human power of expression, not through language only 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. Here art goes with language and literature.
What arguments does Nandalal Bose offer to introduce regular education in the sphere of art?
Nandalal Bose categorically observes that the objective of education is man’s total development. Man doesn’t always want to obtain academic records. His intellectual development is not to remain confined to certain textbooks only. Scoring good marks in a conventional university examination is sufficient to grow the character of a man. A student needs development in his or her observation of the environment with a sense of beauty and decency. In short, the growth of one’s aesthetic sense is as much a need as his or her academic advancement. Man has the commanding position on earth over all the complex creatures. His development should not concentrate on a particular direction or on a single branch of study. Hence Mr Bose, is of the opinion that education in art will only make a total man by its regular and widespread introduction.
How does, according to Nandalal Bose, the lack in the aesthetic sense affect life?
How are beauty and aesthetics, according to Nandalal Bose, connected with a person’s physical and mental well-being ? Discuss.
Or. What example did Nandalal Bose give to support his view that “The vitality of a work of art lies in its sense of beauty and order”?
The intimate concern for beauty, decency, culture and delicacy give birth to the aesthetic sense. Everyone requires this sense along with normal academic attainment to achieve total development. But when the aesthetic sense is missing, surroundings have a very painful appearance with dirt and disorder. People litter rubbish in the surroundings and spit betel juice and make the scene despicable. Such a situation is not at all sound for health.
So the lack of aesthetic sense leads to disorder and dirty surrounding which is not at all good health. Again this keeps one’s mind narrow and confined to its common humdrum state. This adversely arrests the expansion of mind which is attainable only through the experience of beauty and delicacy.
Is art ‘the domain for the rich and the pleasure-loving’? How does Nandalal Bose answer this question ?
There is a popular notion that art is not intended for all-the rich and the poor. The common belief is that this is the domain only of the rich and the pleasure-loving. The actual sense is that only those who are rich or want to live in pleasure can indulge in the pursuit of art. Nandalal Bose does not agree with such a notion and gives out his own solid opinion in this respect.
He asserts that art lives in the aesthetic sense, in love for beauty. The question of money or leisure is immaterial here. A poor hard working person possesses this aesthetic sense. The author refers to the case of a tribal Santhal. Despite his utter poverty and hardship in life, he makes his humble cottage neat, trim and orderly. The sense of beauty of such a Santhal is innate. However, he has seen a good many rich people who expose their Vulgarity and bad taste in dress and manners. Despite affluence and immense time, they have no sense of beauty, no culture, no refined taste. They have riches and time, but no sense of | beauty, delicacy, or fineness.
Further reading:
Nandalal Bose Biography and Works
The Place of Art in Education Summary
Some pose the question, “Will art give us a livelihood? How does Nandalal Bose answer the question?
How does Nandalal Bose discuss the two-fold aspect of art-fine art and functional art? Or, What is the difference between fine art and functional art?
Common people are often apprehensive that art is definitely fine and high, but not at all financially remunerative. Their fear is simple and straight that training in art can hardly earn livelihood. Nandalal Bose does not dismiss this fear ruthlessly but discusses the issue provocatively. He observes that the pursuit of art, as that of literature, has a two-fold aspect. First there is the pleasure for its Own sake. The professional return, or the financial gain, is the other aspect. One is meant for pleasure, apart from any professional aim.
The other is intended for a professional function for some financial return. The author treats the matter of art in particular. He categorizes art as fine art and functional art. The first one is least concerned with the question of money earned or financial benefit received. This is a complete liberation from material matters. It is solidity related to aesthetic pleasure, irrespective of material loss or gain. The second one takes art as a profession and has the function to earn livelihood and more comforts and amenities. Art here has really an economic aspect. To ignore or dismiss this is no proper assessment, So the fear that art cannot earn livelihood is all baseless.
“There are some amongst us who think that art is the domain for the rich and the pleasure- loving”- Summarize the author’s observations on the common people’s notion of art.
ANS. Nandalal Bose is of the opinion that the common people generally have an unenthusiastic approach towards art. They think that art is the exclusive domain of the rich and the pleasure-loving and the common people have nothing to do with it but 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, 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 college student keeps his clothes and belongings in a disorganized mess in his hostel rooms. The sense of beauty is an essential part of the tribal life, but to the rich man’s son it is superficial. The author feels pain to see the widespread disproportion and lack of taste in the present society. He has often seen educated people display framed 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. 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 is a sure sign of our poverty in aesthetic sensibilities. People in general consider the utility aspect of things not their aesthetic aspect. They do not realize that with a little bit of aesthetic sense we can give the things of our daily use nice and attractive looks. This is the utility aspect of things which falls in the province of functional art while fine art like painting, music etc. Functional art with its magic touch brings beauty to the objects of our daily use and provides us with means of livelihood. Hence 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.
What steps, according to Nandalal Bose, are to be adopted to introduce and materialize the idea of art education in India ?
ANS. The author Nandalal Bose has expressed his dissatisfaction at the present condition of art education in India. The provision that our schools and universities have made for art education is lamentably inadequate. As a result the Indian population in general have remained insensitive to the glory of India’s past paintings, sculpture and architecture. The author has suggested the measures which we must adopt 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. The schools and universities should incorporate art training in the course of studies as 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 and 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 his own hand. All these ventures will help in arousing the aesthetic sensibilities of the students and live a life of joy.