Abadindranath Tagore was born on August 7, 1871 at Jorasanko, the Tagore residence at cucatta in a family where creative activity was very natural. Some of his early impressionable year were spent at Chamdani in an old house by the river side. Here Abanindranath began to draw and paint. After his father's death, the family returned to Calcutta where Abanindranath spent some years at the Sanskrit College where at he developed a love for Indian classics. He also studied music and later started to have tuition in art. The earlier training as an artist of Abanindranath was under two European teacher working in the then Calcutta Art School. At that stage, the artistic mind of Abanindranath was following a routine course, conditioned bu the 19th century art ideal.

But very soon, the discerning eye of the artist in him found out some strange affinity between the two art trends--one the indigenous and other foreign. Born out of this new feeling abanandranath created a new series of Radha-Krishna paintings, which represents artist's earlier attempts to paint Indian pictures in the Indian manner. It was during this period, Abanandranath became acquainted with E.B. Havell who was instrumental in appointing Abanandranth as the Vice-Pricipal of the then calcutta School of Arts.

Through Okakura, the famous Japanese aonnoisseur, Abanandranath got an opportunity to know and understand the art and culture of china and Japan. Abanandranath was not a traveller, but his few journeys to Monghyr, Pure and Konark and Darjeeling have had very memorable results. Some of the more well known of the artist's creations are Uma(c.1921), Bharat Mata(1902), Omar Khyam Series(1930). In his later years, Abanandranath took new activity 'creation of small toys', art works of scupture made from found objects. Nand Lal Bose, kshitindranath Majumdar and K Venkatappa are among those who were inspired by Abanandranath, whose position in modern art is in many ways unique, comparable to that of Rabindranath Tagore in the realm of letters. Among the written works of Abanandranath are Shadanga(Six Limbs of Painting) and Bharat Silpa. Abanandranath died in 1951.

The post and Telegraphs Department feel privileged in commemorating the birth centenary of Abanandranath Tagore by bringing out a stamp depicting one of his creations. The painting chosen for this purpose is titled "Abhisarika" and purports to illustrate a verse in kalidasa's 'Ritu Samhara'. Although the painting is one of the earliest attemts on the part of the artist, to present an Indian theme in the so-called Indian style, it echos influences of techniques of Western art also.

The lady in the picture dressed in a Sari with pleated folds and transparent scart revealing a fair complexion denotes sebsous beauty par excellence, while the evocative gestures, mood and elegant pose suggest gentle movement and subtile restlessness.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India