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Amrita and Victor
Ashwini Bhatnagar� s book explores the passion and intimacy between Amrita Sher-Gil and Victor Egan, their conflict with social mores, and the way their unconventional relationship shapes Amrita� s art, both directly and indirectly. It� s a love story rather than a history of her art. A passionate love story of two unlikely individuals! � Will Amrita and Victor� s passion unite them or separate them forever? � Explore the notion of love amidst the stereotypes prevailing in our society. � The journey of Amrita� s art and how love changed it. � An iconic love story retold through the eyes of Ashwini Bhatnagar. � A must-read for all romance lovers.
216 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 2023
2 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 19, 2023
Amrita and Victor by Ashwini Bhatnagar is a lovely biography that sheds light on the romantic relationship between painter Amrita Sher-Gil and Victor Egan. It also illustrates the impact this relationship had on her life and pursuit of art.
Amrita was a gifted painter who adored her art to its core. She was devoted to it and found solace in its charm. However, she was also rebel by nature and eccentric in her own ways. Amrita was a blend of fierce boldness and deep sensual desires. She was never afraid to speak her mind or do things of her accord. This earned her problems as well. But besides all of this, she found her comforting love in Victor, her first cousin.
This couple, of Victor and Amrita, has had to face its share of trouble. The two were pulled towards each other. While Amrita didn't believe in fidelity, Victor stood by her side always. Just that Amrita's demise remained an unsolved puzzle and to date, none knows what led her to this end.
This fast-paced biography is lucidly written and covers multidimensional aspects of Amrita. I felt perhaps more could have been explained about the equation couple shared, given the title, but nonetheless, this captivating tale effectively navigates the themes of love and despair. In that sense, it remains a worthy read.
Amrita was a gifted painter who adored her art to its core. She was devoted to it and found solace in its charm. However, she was also rebel by nature and eccentric in her own ways. Amrita was a blend of fierce boldness and deep sensual desires. She was never afraid to speak her mind or do things of her accord. This earned her problems as well. But besides all of this, she found her comforting love in Victor, her first cousin.
This couple, of Victor and Amrita, has had to face its share of trouble. The two were pulled towards each other. While Amrita didn't believe in fidelity, Victor stood by her side always. Just that Amrita's demise remained an unsolved puzzle and to date, none knows what led her to this end.
This fast-paced biography is lucidly written and covers multidimensional aspects of Amrita. I felt perhaps more could have been explained about the equation couple shared, given the title, but nonetheless, this captivating tale effectively navigates the themes of love and despair. In that sense, it remains a worthy read.
May 8, 2023
Ashwini Bhatnagar's Amrita & Victor is a beautifully written biography that delves into the romantic relationship between painter Amrita Sher-Gil and Victor Egan and its impact on her life and work.
The book explores the complex emotions and struggles of the couple in a poetic and evocative manner, providing the reader with a deep understanding of their vulnerabilities, insecurities, and fears. The author's extensive research and nuanced exploration of the emotional and psychological dimensions of the couple's relationship make this book stand out from other biographies.
Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of art and love and a testament to the enduring power of human emotions.
Read the detailed review here -
The book explores the complex emotions and struggles of the couple in a poetic and evocative manner, providing the reader with a deep understanding of their vulnerabilities, insecurities, and fears. The author's extensive research and nuanced exploration of the emotional and psychological dimensions of the couple's relationship make this book stand out from other biographies.
Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of art and love and a testament to the enduring power of human emotions.
Read the detailed review here -
May 30, 2023
📚 𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞.
When I think of biographies, I often think of them as a medium that offers us a lens through which we can get an inside view or perhaps a glimpse into the life of the person that the biography has been written on. Amrita and Victor is one such biography that delves deep into the life of Amrita Sher-Gil, who is till date remembered as one of India’s most celebrated painters and in the backdrop we get to have a glimpse of Victor Egan, who was Amrita’s first cousin by relation and her lover by choice.
Amrita’s life was as colourful as the paintings she created. Her charisma, her fierce and bold attitude, her straightforwardness with a hint of arrogance, the way she spoke out her mind which rarely involved mincing words, her clear inability to accept criticism, her bend towards impulses and sensual desires which went to the extent of having multiple lovers; a lady who considered herself free from social constraints and did as her heart pleased no matter the consequences it garnered; that was Amrita Sher-Gil and amongst all of this chaos, what stood as a constant was her utter, sheer and immense love for painting and her comfort space of freedom and love for Victor.
The book explores Amrita’s many love interests which even included men like Nehru and many others of similar ranks, of which Victor had every detail of through the letters they wrote and yet strangely it never affected the bond they shared. It was a rarity and highly unconventional.
The Biography further talks of Amrita’s passion for painting that involved changing schools, cities, countries, in order to bring out the best on the Canvas and display them in various exhibitions.
Overall, I’d say that this biography had me its grip until the very end because of the distinct personalities that Amrita and Victor were. While she acted on her instincts, was abstract in her thinking and far removed from the realities of life, Victor was practical and a realist. They did well together!
When I think of biographies, I often think of them as a medium that offers us a lens through which we can get an inside view or perhaps a glimpse into the life of the person that the biography has been written on. Amrita and Victor is one such biography that delves deep into the life of Amrita Sher-Gil, who is till date remembered as one of India’s most celebrated painters and in the backdrop we get to have a glimpse of Victor Egan, who was Amrita’s first cousin by relation and her lover by choice.
Amrita’s life was as colourful as the paintings she created. Her charisma, her fierce and bold attitude, her straightforwardness with a hint of arrogance, the way she spoke out her mind which rarely involved mincing words, her clear inability to accept criticism, her bend towards impulses and sensual desires which went to the extent of having multiple lovers; a lady who considered herself free from social constraints and did as her heart pleased no matter the consequences it garnered; that was Amrita Sher-Gil and amongst all of this chaos, what stood as a constant was her utter, sheer and immense love for painting and her comfort space of freedom and love for Victor.
The book explores Amrita’s many love interests which even included men like Nehru and many others of similar ranks, of which Victor had every detail of through the letters they wrote and yet strangely it never affected the bond they shared. It was a rarity and highly unconventional.
The Biography further talks of Amrita’s passion for painting that involved changing schools, cities, countries, in order to bring out the best on the Canvas and display them in various exhibitions.
Overall, I’d say that this biography had me its grip until the very end because of the distinct personalities that Amrita and Victor were. While she acted on her instincts, was abstract in her thinking and far removed from the realities of life, Victor was practical and a realist. They did well together!
June 15, 2023
The story is a biographical memoir of an artist par excellence, Amrita Sher-Gil. Most of her artwork is iconic and reeks of individualistic perception of the world around her especially India. Amrita loved color, and that’s evident in how the splashes on her canvas took their own form. Despite being unconventional in all her ways, Amrita soon emerged as the most celebrated painter of her time.
What attracts the reader further is the megalomaniac-like personality traits Amrita exhibits. She was a rebel with a larger-than-life personality. Not just with her art but also in her personal life. She didn’t believe in fidelity. Her colourful escapades with both men and experimentation with women have been interspersed throughout the story. Such was her persona that even the then-Indian Congress head Jawaharlal Nehru was left bedazzled.
She was in a relationship with her first cousin Victor and eventually married him despite parental and social opposition, given the blood relationship. Her death under mysterious circumstances remains unresolved to date. Whether it was a botched termination of pregnancy or whether she was intervened late because of Victor, a doctor himself, who dragged his heels instead of seeking another opinion before it was too late, the mystery remains�
The obituary given by Nehru and Sarojini Naidu upon her passing throws light on the kind of impact Amrita had on everyone around her. Her flamboyance was addictive, be it art or person. Her careless approach to pertinent aspects of life may be attributed to her conflicted upbringing in a mixed-racial household. Nonetheless, she was a beauty who stuck to her convictions till her last breath.
The author has brought together an amalgamation of well-researched viewpoints from those close to Amrita. His language is par excellence and as a reader, I am still reeling in the paroxysms of literary delight hours after finishing the book!
What attracts the reader further is the megalomaniac-like personality traits Amrita exhibits. She was a rebel with a larger-than-life personality. Not just with her art but also in her personal life. She didn’t believe in fidelity. Her colourful escapades with both men and experimentation with women have been interspersed throughout the story. Such was her persona that even the then-Indian Congress head Jawaharlal Nehru was left bedazzled.
She was in a relationship with her first cousin Victor and eventually married him despite parental and social opposition, given the blood relationship. Her death under mysterious circumstances remains unresolved to date. Whether it was a botched termination of pregnancy or whether she was intervened late because of Victor, a doctor himself, who dragged his heels instead of seeking another opinion before it was too late, the mystery remains�
The obituary given by Nehru and Sarojini Naidu upon her passing throws light on the kind of impact Amrita had on everyone around her. Her flamboyance was addictive, be it art or person. Her careless approach to pertinent aspects of life may be attributed to her conflicted upbringing in a mixed-racial household. Nonetheless, she was a beauty who stuck to her convictions till her last breath.
The author has brought together an amalgamation of well-researched viewpoints from those close to Amrita. His language is par excellence and as a reader, I am still reeling in the paroxysms of literary delight hours after finishing the book!
May 25, 2023
I love reading biographies and memoirs, especially when they delve into the lives of artists. It becomes essential for me to explore their thoughts and experiences.
The book I recommend is about Amrita Sher-Gill, an eminent artist who had a unique blend of Western and Indian heritage. She was destined to be a bridge between Indian and Western art. However, her love for her cousin Victor created great turmoil within her family. Her mother never seemed convinced to accept Victor as her daughter's partner. As Amrita pursued her artistic education in Paris and Italy, her desire to visit Budapest to be with Victor became a growing concern for her mother.
After a significant period of personal and artistic growth, Amrita returned to India to infuse Indian culture into her paintings. She found inspiration in the rich colors and ethereal traditions, which motivated her to dedicate more time to her craft. She became a celebrated painter in the country and was even commissioned to create a portrait of Jawaharlal Nehru.
During this time, Victor came to India and attempted to reconcile with Amrita's parents, but her mother, Marie, and her father, Umrao Singh, were opposed to the idea. Nevertheless, Amrita and Victor defied all odds and decided to build a life together, leaving behind their royal backgrounds and establishing themselves independently.
The life of Amrita and Victor was marked by ups and downs, from joyous moments to struggles, and it also holds some mysteries surrounding Amrita's death.
This captivating story explores themes of love and despair. If you are intrigued by fascinating narratives, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this book.
The book I recommend is about Amrita Sher-Gill, an eminent artist who had a unique blend of Western and Indian heritage. She was destined to be a bridge between Indian and Western art. However, her love for her cousin Victor created great turmoil within her family. Her mother never seemed convinced to accept Victor as her daughter's partner. As Amrita pursued her artistic education in Paris and Italy, her desire to visit Budapest to be with Victor became a growing concern for her mother.
After a significant period of personal and artistic growth, Amrita returned to India to infuse Indian culture into her paintings. She found inspiration in the rich colors and ethereal traditions, which motivated her to dedicate more time to her craft. She became a celebrated painter in the country and was even commissioned to create a portrait of Jawaharlal Nehru.
During this time, Victor came to India and attempted to reconcile with Amrita's parents, but her mother, Marie, and her father, Umrao Singh, were opposed to the idea. Nevertheless, Amrita and Victor defied all odds and decided to build a life together, leaving behind their royal backgrounds and establishing themselves independently.
The life of Amrita and Victor was marked by ups and downs, from joyous moments to struggles, and it also holds some mysteries surrounding Amrita's death.
This captivating story explores themes of love and despair. If you are intrigued by fascinating narratives, I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this book.
May 15, 2023
When I first picked up the book, a biography, I was skeptical about how I will be liking it since it isn’t my preferred genre. To my surprise, the book turned out to be really good with so much to offer the readers.
The story is about the dynamic relationship between the famous Indian-Hungarian painter, Amrita Sher-Gil, who is often referred to as the ‘Frida Kahlo of India�, and Victor Egan, her first cousin. The biography revolves around Amrita’s life and her works as a painter which is profoundly inspiring and stirring.
The story navigates a range of intricate emotions and hardships that the couple had to face in the contemporary society of the time, both individually as well as together. I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative style which was both poetic and redolent in manner. Given that it was my first ever “biography� that I read outside my course texts, I was really fond of the same and completely hooked till the end.
Moreover, the author delays with a plethora of mature themes that attract the attention of every contemporary reader. Some of such themes are love, relationships, societal constructs, the strength of desire, the question of morality, and the personal v/s the political within the bounds of the society of the time. I really loved how the author actively tackles all these within this slender book of 200 pages.
Although, I was expecting a little of a dramatic ending to the story given the poignant build-up of the story throughout but was slightly disappointed. Nonetheless, I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a great book.
The story is about the dynamic relationship between the famous Indian-Hungarian painter, Amrita Sher-Gil, who is often referred to as the ‘Frida Kahlo of India�, and Victor Egan, her first cousin. The biography revolves around Amrita’s life and her works as a painter which is profoundly inspiring and stirring.
The story navigates a range of intricate emotions and hardships that the couple had to face in the contemporary society of the time, both individually as well as together. I thoroughly enjoyed the narrative style which was both poetic and redolent in manner. Given that it was my first ever “biography� that I read outside my course texts, I was really fond of the same and completely hooked till the end.
Moreover, the author delays with a plethora of mature themes that attract the attention of every contemporary reader. Some of such themes are love, relationships, societal constructs, the strength of desire, the question of morality, and the personal v/s the political within the bounds of the society of the time. I really loved how the author actively tackles all these within this slender book of 200 pages.
Although, I was expecting a little of a dramatic ending to the story given the poignant build-up of the story throughout but was slightly disappointed. Nonetheless, I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a great book.
May 31, 2023
History has forever been my favorite genre of study and subject in school. Ever since I've developed a liking for historical facts and incidents that challenged popular belief. "Amrita and Victor" by Ashwini Bhatnagar is a biographical account of the life of Amrita Sher-Gil, one of the most renowned painters in women's Indian history.
The book is about Amrita's life from her childhood to adulthood and later, especially focusing on the role that Victor played in her life being alongside her all the time. They had not the conventional type of first cousins relationship. It was way beyond that, way soothing and risky. The book shows clearly how Amrita was shaped into the person she became intellectually and nature-wise.
If you are a reader of crooked real-life stories and like to read books with a non-judgemental POV, this book is a fit for you. I read this book in one go and I will read it again. There's a lot to learn. The stark way in which Amrita's dialogues are said is electrifying and empowering. Her head was so unconventional that it liberates the reader.
The writing style of the book is placid and quick. The story moves at a considerable pace and the language is quite easy. The expressions, I must say, are highly vibrant which adds to the effect of the book.
It is a very sharp and gathered sort of reading in which a reader will discover not only the actual incident but also the fiction around it which makes it even more gripping and immersing.
The book is about Amrita's life from her childhood to adulthood and later, especially focusing on the role that Victor played in her life being alongside her all the time. They had not the conventional type of first cousins relationship. It was way beyond that, way soothing and risky. The book shows clearly how Amrita was shaped into the person she became intellectually and nature-wise.
If you are a reader of crooked real-life stories and like to read books with a non-judgemental POV, this book is a fit for you. I read this book in one go and I will read it again. There's a lot to learn. The stark way in which Amrita's dialogues are said is electrifying and empowering. Her head was so unconventional that it liberates the reader.
The writing style of the book is placid and quick. The story moves at a considerable pace and the language is quite easy. The expressions, I must say, are highly vibrant which adds to the effect of the book.
It is a very sharp and gathered sort of reading in which a reader will discover not only the actual incident but also the fiction around it which makes it even more gripping and immersing.
May 20, 2023
In Amrita & Victor by Ashwini Bhatanagar depicts the dynamics of an unconventional relationship, the odds they defied, the societal pressure they fought. This book isn't an ordinary love story.
Amrita Sher-gil was Indian-Hungarian artist. She came to India and created some sensational work. Mostly she depicted the daily life of people in her art. Her avante garde style flourished in India and still resonates in the art corridors. She married her first cousin Victor Edgan and died at the young age of 28. And this is her story. ©
Read the entire book review here 👇
Amrita Sher-gil was Indian-Hungarian artist. She came to India and created some sensational work. Mostly she depicted the daily life of people in her art. Her avante garde style flourished in India and still resonates in the art corridors. She married her first cousin Victor Edgan and died at the young age of 28. And this is her story. ©
Read the entire book review here 👇
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