Archive · 19 Aug 2026
JJ School of Art Legacy Celebrated Through Nationalist Exhibition
Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai is showing old paintings made by its students.
The paintings were created between 1940 and 1960.
They show ideas about India’s freedom movement and life after Independence.
Some paintings feature Mahatma Gandhi, the spinning wheel and Bharat Mata.
Famous artists such as Vasudeo Gaitonde and Jatin Das made some of the works when they were students.
Minister Chandrakant Patil said the collection helps people understand India’s history and art education.
He also announced that a hostel for 1,000 students will be opened soon.
He asked students, researchers and the public to visit the exhibition and help preserve the school’s heritage.
Higher Education Minister Chandrakant Patil called for preserving Sir J.J. School of Art’s nationalist and artistic legacy.
Patil announced a planned 1,000-student hostel with equal capacity for girls and boys.
The “Swaraj: Seen and Painted Freedom” exhibition is being held at the conserved Dean’s Bungalow on campus.
The exhibition presents student paintings from 1940 to 1960 depicting freedom movement themes, Swadeshi, social change and nation-building.
Works by Vasudeo Gaitonde, Laxman Pai, Jatin Das and Dilip Ranade are among those displayed.
- Who
- Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Sir J.J. School of Art students and later-recognized artists featured in the exhibition.
- What
- An exhibition of historic student artworks was held, and a 1,000-student hostel was announced.
- When
- The exhibition visit and announcement took place on Wednesday; the displayed works date from 1940 to 1960.
- Where
- At the conserved historic Dean’s Bungalow on the Sir J.J. School of Art campus in Mumbai.
- Why
- To preserve and showcase the institution’s legacy of nationalism, cultural identity and art education for future generations.
- Exhibition
- “Swaraj: Seen and Painted Freedom”
- Artwork period
- 1940–1960
- Hostel capacity
- 1,000 students
- Hostel allocation
- 500 girls and 500 boys
- Exhibition venue
- The conserved historic Dean’s Bungalow
- Featured artists
- Vasudeo Gaitonde, Laxman Pai, Jatin Das and Dilip Ranade
- Displayed themes
- India’s freedom movement, Swadeshi, social transformation and post-Independence nation-building