This document summarizes the history of visual art education at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai, India. It describes how the school was founded in 1857 and established departments for visual art studies. It then discusses how a Commercial Art Section was created after World War I to teach more practical art skills. Several professors and alumni are highlighted for their contributions in shaping the applied art and commercial art programs. The document traces how the school blended fine art and applied art education over time, influenced by developments in Europe and inspired by the German Bauhaus model in the 1970s.

1. reSEARCH of iDeNtiTy
By Ranjan Raghuvir Joshi

3. The
reSEARCH
and
reVOLUTION
of Art
This is the article
that gave me an insight to
pen down my thoughts.

9. The visionaries:
Sir Jameshtaji Jeebhoy
and Nana Shankarshet
who set up Sir J.J.School
of Art in 1857 A.D. in
Mumbai. Following is
the Poster designed by
an unknown student
depicting the
departments of visual
art studies.
Sir Jameshtaji Jeebhoy
Nana Shankarshet

10. The Commercial Art Section known as CAS
was set up after the first world war as it was felt
to start utilitarian art which was renamed
Applied Art. Following are some of the covers of
annual magazine which was show- casing
the students work.

11. Notice the difference in The Commercial Art
Section known as CAS was set up after the first
world war as it was felt to start utilitarian art
which was renamed Applied Art. Following are
some of the covers of annual magazine which
was show- casing the students work.

12. Prof. Charles Gerrard the founder of
Commercial Art section in Sir.J.J.
Prof.
V.N.Adarkar
the first Indian
visionary
Principal of
Commercial Art
section of Sir.J.J.
Mr. Govind
Bhadsawale the
first Indian
student
motivated by
Prof.Gerard to
join the
Commercial Art
section in Sir.J.J.
The outcome of CAS in Sir J.J. School of Art.: The
Commercial Artists Guild’s second annual show in
1952 a rare picture depicting the beginning of
professional practice of Commercial in India. This
Guild is today 65 years old because it was founded in
1947/48 after Indian Independence from British Rule
of 150 years.
Prof. Capt.
Salomon the first
British visionary
Principal of Sir.J.J.
School of Art in
early 1900
A.D.encourage the
idea of utilitarian
art along with Fine
art with the help of
Prof. Dhurandher
due to first world
war’s impact.

13. Prof. Charles Gerrard the
founder of Commercial Art
section in Sir.J.J.

14. Dr.G. M.Rege, Manu Desai with friend on the right
were the key contributors in shaping the applied art.
Yeshwant Chowdhary seen on
the left pioneered corporate
design system and packaging
in shaping the applied art. The
exercises shown on the
following pages were
designed by Manu Desai.
These exercises became
foundation for new visual art
education.

17. This is one of the rare pictures in which
1)Prof. Palshikar 2) Prof.Amberkar,
3)Prof. Satawalekar, 4)Prof. Gondhalekar and
5)Prof. Dhond seen together. They are the architect
of Modern Visual art education along with
Prof. Adarkar………………………………..
Prof.R.P. Joshi
2 3 4 5 1
My father extreme left Prof.R.P. Joshi designed national
level course in Textile Design for the Famous V.J.T.I. (1971)

18. The new age concept of
Paperless Portfolio by
Sachin Puthran.
Dadasaheb Phalke the pioneer of Indian Cine Industry was the student of
Sir. J.J.School of Art seen along with one of the first animation film’s
frames he created. Seen bellow on the right Vinay Newalkar national
award winning Marathi film maker both Sir. J.J. alumina.

19. It is interesting to note here that in early
1900 A.D. Raobhadhur Dhurandhar was
designing the posters for then Indian
Railways at the same time in France Henri
de Toulouse Lautrec was painting posters
for Theaters. In India we do not document
such things so Raobhadhur Dhurandhar’s
posters are forgotten.
Prof. Capt. Salomon the first British
visionary Principal of Sir.J.J. School of Art in
early 1900 A.D.encourage the idea of
utilitarian art along with Fine art with the
help of Prof. Dhurandher due to first world
war’s impact.

25. Advertisement of
early 1900 A.D.‐
Unknown artist

26. Prof. R. K. Joshi’s
Happenings and
Prof. Shantaram Pawar’s
Art Jatra were learning
beyond walls.
Prof. Shantaram Pawar
Prof. R. K. Joshi

27. The German Bauhaus visual art education was perfect
blending of Fine Art and Applied Art. In 1970 this was
the inspiration for revising the art course introduced by
British Rule 123 years ago in Sir J. J. School of Art.
Manu Desai had
introspection on the concepts of
European / western visual art
education which he expressed in
the given article.