Manmathanath Chakravarty, the famous photographer laid the foundation of ‘The Indian School of Art’ at 240A, Bowbazar Street, Calcutta with just three students in the year 1893, At that time Henry Hover Locke, a student of South Kensington, who had taken over the charge of art education officially, introduced a new syllabus which aimed to make experts on copying, practical drawing and industrial drawings.

the outset, were not allowed to draw what they saw in the visual world, they would have to draw from copy books, printed materials, antiques, models and last of all from nature. Lot of altercations, of course, had ensured for and against such a system. Manmathanath was also one of them. Manmathanath’s school was against establishment. His viewpoint was rather in favour of learning technical art. As such, he shortly introduced draftsmanship course and renamed his school as ‘The Indian School of Arts and Draftsmanship’.

The Indian Art School was gaining prominence and fame. Number of students was also increasing. ‘The Indian Art School’ did get Govt. Grant, but it received help and backing from the Native Kings and many respectable personalities. Maharaja Prodyot Kumar Tagore was one of them. The Calcutta Corporation raised their grant from Rs.75/- to 7250/- in 1908. The first Govt. Grant came as late as 1915.