The Basis For Artistic and Industrial Revival in India

This book by a well-known Englishman E.B. Havell discusses various issues related to the revival of art, craft and industry in India. Havell spent a life time in this country teaching and writing on Indian art. First published in 1912, this book was originally written in the form of letters to the Hindu of Madras. The author believes that a slavish imitation of the West is positively harmful to the development of Indian art and crafts. He feels that a true Indian renaissance will come only after India wakes up to her old spiritual heritage. According to him, Indian art must be given back its old place in Indian art and religion and at the same time adapt itself to the modern ways of life. He totally distrusts the commercialism of the West and pleads that the moral factor should not be ignored in India's industrial organisation. And he believes that home or domestic industries should be revived and be given a key position in the new Indian industrial system. He in fact sees the possibility of building upon the basis of Indian civilisation and culture a better social and industrial system that which new exists in Europe. Among other things the book discusses: reasons for the deterioration of art in India, adaptation of Indian art and architecture to modern life, art education, industrial problem, ethics of machinery, decentralisation of industry in Europe and handloom weaving. Though written some time back, the book because of the fresh insight that it offers is of continuing relevance in modern India.