Poster-Art and Political Activism in JNU, Delhi

Posters in JNU

Artistic, eye-catching and thought-provoking political posters are an intrinsic part of the culture of Jawaharlal Nehru University. Whether it is Marxism or Gandhiism, Women’s Rights or Dalit Rights, Imperialism or Casteism, the student community in JNU has always been politically active and views are expressed through huge, colourful posters with interesting slogans. “Study and Struggle” is one of the oldest slogans that still reverberates through the hostels, schools and streets of JNU. It epitomises the spirit of studies that are not divorced from society and its problems. The posters make you think, they create awareness and above all, they reflect an intellectual spirit, which should be the aim of any university.

Picasso in JNU!

For obvious reasons, there have been a lot of posters lately on women’s emancipation. Here is one such poster, pasted on the wall of School of Arts and Aesthetics which draws on the famous painting by Pablo Picasso Le Bordel d’ Avignon (The Brothel of Avignon, 1907). It depicts five nude prostitutes in a group, looking not defeated but confrontational, as if they were ready to take on the society. Picasso’s painting caused a scandal in turn-of-the-century Europe and he had to hide it in his studio for more than a decade. The painting is, as I see it, a metaphor for women with courage. JNU has healthy gender relations compared to rest of India. Girl students can roam around in the campus late at night. This is unthinkable in any other university of India.

Anti-establishment posters in JNU

This poster caricatures State sponsored censorship in Indian Cinema. On the left, the poster lampoons the statement of the Chief of the ICHR in praise of the Caste System in India.

Che in JNU!

Che Guevara, the face of Cuban Revolution, now appropriated by T-Shirt grafittis because of his handsome looks, is a favourite with some left-leaning political parties in JNU.

Poster-art at JNU

The poster above criticizes Caste System with the mythical story of the low-caste Eklavya, who gave his thumb to the high caste Guru in the epic Mahabharat. The poster below it makes fun of the contemporary Central Government in India.

I was not politically aligned to any party in JNU during my student days but the posters always ignited a thought process.

Also read:
Travelling through Alma Mater, JNU

They All Came Calling Me in Delhi - Picasso, Rodin, Chagall, Dalí

The wonder of wonders - Picasso, Rodin, Chagall, Dali and others came calling me in Delhi recently! Normally Delhiites are starved of artist shows but I was completely taken by surprise when I read somewhere that such great artists' works would be on display. The works were on display only for four days from 20 to 23 January 2011 at Hall 18 of Pragati Maidan.

Picasso Portrait de Francoise a la resille

The above portrait was made by Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) in the year 1953.

Rodin Eternal Spring

Among the greatest sculptors Auguste Rodin's (1840-1917) name would always be counted. Conceived in 1884 this model was cast in 1910. There was one more sculpture made in Rodin at the exhibition - The Thinker which is also considered a masterpiece.

Chagall

I could locate only one art work made in 1980 by Marc Chagall (1887-1985) at the India Art Summit in Delhi.

Dalí Le Yunk et  les Yank

The above work is from the great Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) which he made in 1974-75

It would be a good idea to have such works of art displayed at more regular intervals as I remember the last time Picasso's works were displayed in Delhi almost a decade back.