The Evolution of Indian Sculptural Art: Interaction with Western Styles and Development of Modernism

This paper explores the evolution of Indian sculpture from the early interactions with Western academic styles to the rise of unique and diverse forms in the mid-20th century. It examines how early Indian sculptors were influenced by Western techniques and aesthetics, and how modern Indian sculptors, such as V.P. Karmarkar, Ram Kinker Baij, Pradosh Dasgupta, Dhanraj Bhagat, and Sankho Choudhury, began to incorporate local materials and indigenous themes while embracing modernist principles. Through an analysis of their works and techniques, the paper highlights the transformation of Indian sculpture, which began adhering closely to Western conventions and eventually developed a distinct, diverse, and experimental approach by the 1960s. The paper concludes with an exploration of the shifting attitudes towards materiality and abstraction, leading to a new era in Indian sculpture. Key Words: Indian Sculpture, Modern Indian Art, Western Influence, Academic Realism, Modernism, V.P. Karmarkar, Ram Kinker Baij, Pradosh Dasgupta, Dhanraj Bhagat, Sankho Choudhury, Abstract Sculpture, Material Experimentation, New Objectivity, Indigenous Modernism, Local Materials, Industrial Materials.