Image of “bharat Mata” by Ababindranath tagore

Image of “bharat Mata” by 

Ababindranath tagore

Image...

"Almost certainly the most famous among 

images of Mother India is Abanindranath

Tagore’s "Bharat Mata." He rendered her 

quite differently: a quietly beautiful 

young woman, dressed like a sadhavi in 

an ochre-coloured sari, standing at the       

edge of a lotus pond. But clearly a 

divine being: celestial nimbus behind 

her head; four-armed, each hand 

carrying an object charged with 

symbolism: a sacred manuscript; an 

akshamala-rosary of beads; a vastra or 

length of fabric; a sheaf of green 

foliage. There is no suffering that one 

sees: if anything, calm radiates from her being. She is there as 

an idealised goddess, shedding grace, conferring boons: Saraswati 

and Lakshmi at the same time."

SYMBOLS

 Akshamala, is a garland of beads, made of pearls, bones, 
shalagram shila, dried seeds, berries, or sometimes of 
skulls. It is the attribute of many gods and deities in 
Hinduism. In general, an Akshamala is composed of fifty 
beads, corresponding to the characters of Sanskrit alphabet, 
the 'garland of bija' (Sanskrit: Varnamala).
Vastra is clothing. In this picture, the white cloth 
signifies clothing that our motherland is providing us with 
clothing.
 Sheaves of Rice. In this picture, sheaves of rice in Bharat 
Mata’s hand signify food that our motherland India is 
providing us with food.
 Manuscripts. In this picture, manuscripts signify education 
through ancient text and modern too.
 The symbolism is therefore the Mother India figure providing 
clothing, food, learning and spirituality for her people.

Use and Interpretation by Other People: -

The image of Bharatmata was an icon to create nationalist feeling 
in Indians during the freedom struggle. Sister Nivedita, an 
admirer of the painting, opined that the picture was refined and 
imaginative, with Bharatmata standing on green earth and blue sky 
behind her; feet with four lotuses, four arms meaning divine 
power; white halo and sincere eyes; and gifts Shiksha-Diksha-
Anna-Bastra of motherland to her children.