The Frida Kahlo of India

Her paintings raised eyebrows, and her conversations turned heads. Fearless, talented, beautiful, sensitive, and bold- she was one of the few women who ruled the world of art.

One of a kind, she left her legacy behind- Amrita Shergill. Image source: Wikimedia Commons

When women decided to enter the world of art, they were shunned, booed, and even ridiculed. Not because their art was inferior, but the fact that they were women didn't make things easier.

Therefore, when Amrita Shergil entered the art scene, she became a sensation. Not only did her works ooze with creativity and talent, her wit, often mistaken for a misdemeanour, made her nothing less than the most talked-about woman of that era.

Amrita was born in Hungary and moved to Shimla when her family faced a few financial strains. During her childhood, she was introduced to music and painting. It was the Indologist Ervin Baktay who pushed Amrita toward pursuing art.

She was a free spirit who accepted and rejected norms as she pleased. Regardless of what society thought, Amrita was relentless in her endeavours. She didn't hide who she was, and her artwork didn't coat society's truth with happy scenes and bright colours.

When she was in India, her primary focus was women. Through her artworks, one can gain a sense of women's lives at that time. Unlike much of the paintings produced at that time, Amrita's works reflected the sadness and the grim realities that plagued women in villages.

In her artworks, one can see the influence of western styles, particularly, post-impressionism.

Although Amrita would've stayed in Paris, an innate inexplicable longing for India drew her back to the East. She always believed that her destiny as a painter lay in India. She was aware that her style was more suited to the East and had no malice about it. Amrita was happy to leave the western art world to Matisse, Picasso, and Braque. After all, India belonged to her.

Her style underwent a distinct change and showed more association with different Indian schools of painting. Despite having close ties to the British Raj, Amrita's heart beat for the poor and helpless and sympathised with the Indian National Congress.

Like her paintings, Amrita's life was equally enriching and fascinating. She openly embraced her sexuality and beliefs. Not one to hold back her tongue, she became quite infamous for her razor-sharp comments and wit.

However, it was her same candour that drew countless people towards her. Jawaharlal Nehru appreciated her company, and the two of them exchanged letters frequently. Though they were good friends, Shergil never painted Nehru's portrait because Nehru was "too handsome". It was heart-wrenching when she got to know that her parents had burned the letters she exchanged with Nehru while she was getting married in Hungary.

Her viewpoints often scandalised and astounded others. But her authenticity was her fiercest quality. From telling others they're ugly to announcing she's bisexual, Shergil left no stone unturned in staying true to herself.

Eventually, after her marriage to Viktor Egan, she returned to India. However, she was always distant. Her health condition worsened, and just days before her exhibition in Lahore, she slipped into a coma. She died in the prime of her life, leaving a plethora of artwork behind.

The 28-year-old artist's sudden and mysterious demise led everyone to believe that her husband Viktor killed her. Some suggest that her abortion didn't go as planned, and she contracted a disease.

No one knows what really happened to her.

Tragically, Amrita Shergil did not receive the recognition she deserved and was condemned to criticism from almost everyone due to her lifestyle.

Though it took some time, her artworks were declared National Art Treasures by the government of India. UNESCO declared 2013 to be the International Year of Amrita Shergil. Her works are displayed in the National Gallery of Modern Art and many other places around the world.

Through the use of sombre tones, Amrita Shergill was able to depict the sadness and poverty in the lives of Indian Women. (Three Girls). Image source: Wikimedia Commons