Osian's Auction Catalogue Indian Antiquities and Modern and Contemporary Fine Arts | June 2015

Image 3 Tyeb Mehta From The Kito & Jane De Boer Collection A love for Nandalal Bose was naturally inculcated by their love and respect for Rabindranath Tagore as well as their relationship with eminent artist-teacher Sudhir Khastagir [The Art Master at Doon School, Dehradun (February 1936-1956); later taking charge as Principal, Arts College, Lucknow (from 1st March 1956)], who was an extremely close student of his teacher, Nandalal Bose. Sudhir was also the brother-in-law of Prof. Niranjan Niyogi; hence creating another channel for friendship between Prof. Niranjan Niyogi and Shri Nandalal Bose. The Painting of the same ‘series’ or style as the iconic Kajri Dance is another important artwork in the Collection of the Niyogi Family (Refer to Image 2) Further, Sucharu Devi, the Maharani of Mayurbhanj, and daughter of Keshab Chandra Sen, and her husband, the Maharaja of Mayurbhanj were hosting the artist, Hemendranath Mazumdar who was residing adjoining the Bungalow of Havelock Sahib then occupied by Prof. Niranjan Niyogi so opening up a new relationship with the famous artist Hemendranath Mazumdar, who was close to his Mayurbhanj family patron. Amitabha’s inspiration for Art and Culture drew from his parents, esp. his father, Prof. N. Niyogi. In 1936, Prof. Niranjan Niyogi bought two paintings of Hemen’s ‘Half Bust Lady Figure’ as well as ‘Lady Figure with Sitar’ paying him a sum of Rs. 300 & Rs. 700 respectively (See Lot 28 & 29) In the same year, another painting ‘Puri Jagannath Temple’ by Hemen was gifted by the artist to Prof. Niyogi as a special gesture of friendship (See Lot 27) Over the years, many more artistic relationships developed within the family, with eminent artists such as Nicholas Roerich and Tyeb Mehta. In 1977 Tyeb had presented Amitabha Niyogi with a Drawing as a ‘Welcome’ gesture when he took charge as the Advisor to the West Bengal Governor in 1977, during his Bombay visit.This drawing is today in the Collection of Kito & Jane de Boer. (See Image 3). The Self-Portrait of Nicholas Roerich gifted to the family by the artist is another important work owned by the family (Refer to Image 4) Image 4 Nicholas Roerich From The Niyogi Family Collection Amitabha Niyogi with H.R.H. Duke of Edinburgh and Deputy British High Commissioner Stephen Miles 73 Indian Antiquities, Modern & Contemporary Fine Arts