Imperial Calcutta and the Indian Renaissance

Exotic India brings to mind images of the Taj Mahal, bustling cities with their spice markets, hot curries, colour and noise, art and architecture both ancient and modern.

We begin with the arts and architecture of the vibrant city of Calcutta, capital of British India in the nineteenth century.  At the epicentre of the ‘Bengal renaissance’, Calcutta was central to the arts and culture of modern India.  John will look at how Calcutta’s arts and architecture were affected by British rule, and explore the fascinating ways in which Indian artists viewed the British in India. 

Following morning tea, speaker John Stevens will take us on a journey through the life and work of Calcutta’s most famous artist: the poet, writer, composer and painter Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941).