Page 180 - Historic-Masterpieces-Dec24

A Special Bond

The presented lot is a historic collection of 28 postcards

and 2 sketches from GANESH PYNE to LALU PRASAD SHAW,

written between 1958 and 1964

The address faces of the postcards also highlight the evolution of Indian stamps and the expansive Indian postal system

“While attending classes together at the college, Ganesh and I became
friends, and this friendship of ours has lasted a lifetime. His letters did not
just possess his endearing words, but always came with an added delight
in the form of a small artwork—every letter of his contained a unique
The presented lot is a timeless collection rendering of art from his imagination. These letters are the only way I can
of vintage postcards written by Ganesh
Pyne to his friend and fellow artist Lalu reminisce about those days of friendship.”
Prasad Shaw. Written between 1958 LALU PRASAD SHAW
and 1964, these letters showcase the
camaraderie and warmth that the two
artists shared, while also giving us a view
of the rustic beauty of communication 60
years ago.
Shaw remembers those days fondly,
as well as his dear friend Pyne. “When
we were in our second year at the
Government College of Art, Ganesh Ganesh Pyne visiting Lalu Prasad Shaw at his Santiniketan home
Pyne joined the Art college as a student.
He was supposed to start as a first-year
student, but for a particular reason, he nowadays, so often a single conversation many letters have unfortunately been lost careful preservation of these letters sheds
joined classes as a second-year student. lasted us a few months. Every letter due to time. The ones I still possess take light on the evolution of Pyne’s oeuvre,
The principal saw his incredible prowess of his contained a unique rendering me back to those simpler times. Going and how art mirrors the development of
as an artist and deemed it fit that he of art from his imagination. This is not through these letters is the only way I can a nation from a socio-cultural point of
began as a second-year student. While something Ganesh started per se, one keep those cherished memories alive.” view. From discussions on art and poetry
attending classes together at the college, can find such letters with drawings to contemporary issues, the presented lot
we became friends, and this friendship through many generations. Santiniketan This collection of postcards—words and is an important part of India’s modern art.
of ours has lasted a lifetime. When I Artists were known for this practice— sketches—exchanged between Pyne It has also been published in an exclusive
returned to Siuri (my village in Bengal), both Nandalal Bose and Abanindranath and Shaw paint a vivid picture of their volume that showcases the collaborative
we continued the conversations we had Tagore practised drawing pictures in shared passion for art. Both artists have sense of community among artists and
started in college through letters. We their letters and postcards. I still possess played an important role in shaping the the importance of a single painting or Both faces of this set of postcards have been presented in a volume with their
did not have speedy communication like most of those letters from Ganesh, but modernist tradition of Bengal, and the even one single brushstroke. translation from Bengali to English, published in 2023