“English” Notes Chapter 4.2 Reading Works of Art Class 9 Maharashtra Board

(A) Sayed Haider Raza

1. Introduction

• Sayed Haider Raza was a famous Indian artist known for abstract paintings.
• His paintings used geometric shapes, bright colors, and deep meanings.
• The colors blue and orange were commonly used in his artwork.

2. Style of Painting

• Raza’s paintings did not show real people or nature.
• They were abstract, meaning they came from his inner thoughts.
• He used circles, squares, triangles, lines, and dots to create his paintings.

3. Raza’s Life and Education

• Born in Madhya Pradesh, he started painting at the age of 12.
• Studied at Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya (Nagpur) and J.J. School of Art (Mumbai).
• Later, he moved to France to study art and settled there.

4. Achievements and Awards

• He won many national and international awards for his work.
• Received Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.
• His paintings became more spiritual and focused on the ‘bindu’ (dot).

5. Meaning of His Paintings

• Raza’s paintings express deep emotions and spiritual ideas.
• He said, “My work is my own inner experience and involvement with the mysteries of nature and form.”
• His paintings used color, light, and space to communicate thoughts.

6. Death and Legacy

• Raza passed away on 23rd July 2016 at the age of 94.
• He left behind a rich collection of paintings that inspire artists worldwide.

(B) Gond Art

1. What is Gond Art?

• Gond Art is a tribal art practiced by the Gond people of India.
• Found in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha.
• The Gondi language is similar to Telugu (a Dravidian language).

2. History and Development

• Earlier, people painted on earthen walls of houses.
• Art was passed down from generation to generation.
• It was a way to record stories, traditions, and beliefs.

3. Features of Gond Art

• Uses bright natural colors made from soil, tree bark, leaves, and flowers.
• Designs include dots, lines, curves, and circles to make patterns.
• Each artist has a unique style, but all paintings look colorful and attractive.

4. Importance of Gond Art

• It preserves tribal culture and stories of the past.
• The paintings create a beautiful and lively atmosphere.
• Shows a deep connection with nature and traditions.

5. Role of Women in Folk Art

• Women played an important role in decorating homes and preparing colors.
• They used natural materials while cooking and cleaning.
• Their creativity helped keep folk art alive for many generations.

6. Modernization of Gond Art

• Earlier, it was only on walls, but now it is on paper, cloth, and commercial products.
• Many men have also started practicing Gond Art for business.
• Gond Art is now popular worldwide and used in exhibitions.

(C) Key Differences Between Raza’s Art and Gond Art

(D) Important Points to Remember

• Raza’s paintings are abstract and focus on deep emotions, especially the bindu (dot).
• Gond Art is a tribal art that represents nature, stories, and traditions.
• Both styles of art are unique and help express creativity in different ways.