Beauty of the Constitution

Sukanya Sharma, New Delhi

WHEN a charitable trust called We the People Abhiyan set out to educate citizens about India’s Constitution, its members encountered a surprising reaction. People who attended their workshops were drawn to the artwork in the Constitution. They were fascinated by the beauty of the document.

“We had been focusing only on the text but we realized that if the art excites people and connects them to the Constitution, then this is something we should be talking about,” says Vinita Gursahani Singh, managing trustee at We the People Abhiyan. The team ideated and then decided to write and publish a book on the artistic aspect of the Constitution. Their publishing journey took them all of two years. Titled Art in the Constitution of India, the book was finally released at a public function in New Delhi’s Jawahar Bhawan on January 31, in collaboration with the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. 

“While the Constitution is a powerful book full of provisions for all of us to be able to lead fulfilled lives, it is also a strikingly beautiful book and that is what we are trying to highlight with this endeavour,” remarks Singh.

The book explores the artistic intricacies of the document. The two original manuscripts in Hindi and English were written entirely by hand. There are details of the calligraphy, types of nibs used, and illustrations in each of its 22 parts and artistic borders.

The book honours calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada and artists from Santiniketan, Nandalal Bose and his team, who left indelible artistic imprints on the pages of the Constitution.

The launch was preceded by an exhibition titled "Samvidhan Samvad", that focused on the making of the Constitution and delved into lesser known historical insights, stories and rare archival materials that led to the creation of India’s defining book of law.

The 16 panels in the exhibition displayed the composition of the Constituent Assembly, Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India’s  approach built on respectful dialogue and the social, cultural and religious diversity amongst members of the Constituent Assembly. Back then a panel was formed which debated the right to vote. The proposal that only literate people should be allowed to vote caused an uproar and was rejected.

This marks the first stage of the exhibition. Two more exhibitions are slated to be held. The first will focus on the details of the Constitution after it was written and is planned in time for Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14.

The second will be held by November and will focus on what the Constitution today means for the citizens of India. “In a way, it has been designed as a travelling exhibition. If its integrity is maintained, any school, civil society organization, or university can access it, take prints and hold the exhibition anywhere in India,” explains Singh.

“The reason we need to remember and understand the origins of our Constitution is that it is currently under very severe attack,” said well-known Congress politician and diplomat Mani Shankar Aiyar. “The principle of the document is checks and balances. The legislature, judiciary, and executive must ensure they uphold the spirit of the Constitution.”

Vijay Mahajan, CEO of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, reiterated the importance of promoting these values. “While we may deify the Preamble and be inspired by it, we have to strengthen our resolve to fight, Article by Article, for the integrity of the Constitution’s ideals,” he said.

But he also reminded the audience that we have much to be grateful for. “Life expectancy in India was 32 years in 1947. It is now 70. This is an unparalleled achievement in public health and has been enabled by the vision embodied in our Constitution. So, we have a lot to celebrate but we must also remember our duty as citizens to protect and promote that vision.”

This celebration of the Constitution was attended by students from the Salaam Baalak Trust, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Ambedkar University and Gujarat Vidyapeeth, among other institutions.

There were some inventive games for participants too. A Constitutional Snakes and Ladders game called Saanp-Seedi, Preamble Jumble, a fun puzzle where participants piece together the Preamble, and Screen Printing where attendees can print their own copy of the Preamble. There were also pledge boards and selfie points in keeping with the theme.

A copy of the Constitution placed on a stand in the heart of the corridor created much buzz. The exhibition and book launch were followed by a short mushaira where young poets recited rhythmic verses inspired by India’s  Constitutional values.