Kin of artist who painted Ashoka Pillar for Constitution document ask govt to make efforts to keep his memory alive

kin of an artist credited with painting Ashoka Pillar for original Constitution document said on eve of Independence Day that government must do something so that memory of his feat is perpetuated.

Dinanath Bhargava, who was born in Multai in Betul in Mhya Presh and died at age of 89 in Indore on December 24, 2016, was entrusted with work of painting Ashoka Pillar for Constitution by renowned painter Nandlal Bose, former's son Soumitra Bhargava (55) told PTI.

"From government documents to currency, impression of Ashoka Pillar painted by my far can be seen. However, he did not get proper respect while he was alive or even after seven years of his death," his son said.

"Some train, national highway, art centre, university or stium should be named after my far or else his memory will get buried in pages of history. I have met public representatives of Union government but no concrete step has been taken so far," he said.

n prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru h entrusted task of designing original Constitution document to Nandlal Bose, a renowned painter and principal of Kala Bhavan of Rabindranath Tagore's Shantiniketan, claimed Soumitra Bhargava.

"Nandlal Bose gave work of painting Ashoka Pillar to my far, who was studying art at Shantiniketan at age of 21. My far went to Kolkata Zoo for three months to keep a close watch on movement of lions so that he could bring his painting to life," he said.

late painter's daughter-in-law Sapekshi said former told her three lions seen in this replica, me using gold-leaf ink on imported paper, represent concept of a male, female and her cub.

"When my far-in-law was painting Ashoka Pillar for Constitution, a brush dipped in paint fell on paper, spoiling work. He n painted anew and this was used in original Constitution document," she said.