Chughtai`s Indian Paintings

Foreword by Dr Tara Chand/ Introduction and notes by Principal S Kashmira Singh, Chughtai's Indian Paintings, New Delhi: Dhoomi Mal Dharam Das, 1951

pp 21; 35 full-page tipped plates, twenty-seven in colours with tissue guards carrying extensive commentaries; 8 small black and white tipped-in plates based on Chughtai's line drawings in the Introduction. The text also has one-page note by Chughtai and one-page note by the publisher; later contemporary leather binding with gilt text and decoration at the front board and spine along with five raised bands
15.5 x 12 x 0.9 in (39.5 x 30.5 x 2.5 cm)

Chughtai's Indian Paintings was the artist's only book printed in India and outside his private press in Lahore. Some paintings were specially made by Chughtai for this book. The publishers brought it out as an elephant folio matching the size, format, binding style and cover of Chughtai's Paintings, which the artist had first issued in Lahore around 1938.

The Dhoomimal Gallery of Delhi was the first to bring out a regular stream of monographs on Indian artists beginning 1943. Its owner Ram Babu, a wealthy stationery dealer who had turned to promoting Indian art and artists as a passion and also owned a printing press, sincerely believed in upholding production values. Thus, for CHUGHTAI'S INDIAN PAINTINGS, the Pakistani artist's only book printed in India and outside his private press, he got Chughtai to write a preface and brought it out as an elephant folio matching the size, format, binding style and cover of CHUGHTAI'S PAINTINGS, which the artist had first issued in Lahore around 1938. Ram Babu even printed wall posters to promote the book, something unheard of even today.

Abdur Rehman Chughtai was a painter and an intellectual artist, who was inspired by Mughal art and Miniature painting to create his own exclusive style. He was also an etcher, engraver, architect, calligrapher, naqash (decorative art), photographer, photo-lithographer, textile, and jewellery designer. He also wrote short stories and articles on art. He designed stamps, coins, insignia, and book covers.

Before Partition, he was known as the greatest living artist of India. After Partition, he was officially recognized as the National Painter of Pakistan. He was given the title of 'Khan Bahadur' by the British Raj in 1934, and was awarded Pakistan's second highest civilian award, 'Hilal-i-Imtiaz' in 1960, and the Presidential medal for Pride of Performance from the Government of Pakistan in 1968.