Not just BR Ambedkar, 5 other people who made invaluable contribution in making of the constitution

When we speak of the Indian Constitution, most know Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as its chief architect. But the original handwritten Constitution - a work of both law and art - was a collective effort involving calligraphers and artists as well. Their combined skills transformed the Constitution from a legal document into a unique cultural and historical masterpiece, reflecting India’s diverse heritage and deep artistic tradition.
Beyond the legal brilliance of its framers, the Constitution’s physical creation stands as a rare blend of artistry and scholarship. The meticulous calligraphy, intricate illustrations, and symbolic motifs that adorn its pages reflect the collaborative effort of individuals who poured immense skill and cultural insight into the document. Their contributions ensured that the Constitution was not only a foundational legal text but also a visually rich testament to India’s civilisational heritage, artistic excellence, and collective identity.

Prem B. N. Raizada was the master calligrapher who hand-wrote the entire English version of the Indian Constitution. When Jawaharlal Nehru asked who would pen the final manuscript, Raizada (a graduate of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi) accepted, but with one condition; his name (and that of his grandfather) be inscribed on each page. Over six months, he wrote 251 pages in flowing italic script, turning the legal text into an elegant work of art.

Dinanath Bhargava, then a young art student at Santiniketan, was entrusted with the drawing of India’s National Emblem - the Lion Capital of Ashoka - which appears on the front page of the Constitution. To capture the lions’ realistic expressions and postures, he visited Kolkata’s Alipore Zoo for months. His precise rendering of the emblem, along with the motto “Satyameva Jayate,” gave the nation a dignified and symbolic mark of identity right at the beginning of its foundational charter.

Beohar Rammanohar Sinha was the artist primarily responsible for the illuminated Preamble page and many decorative elements throughout the original manuscript. He travelled across ancient Indian art sites such as Ajanta, Ellora, Sanchi and Mahabalipuram to draw inspiration for motifs - lotus, peacocks, animals and mythological symbols - which he used to enrich the Constitution’s visuals. His art thus connected the new nation’s founding document with India’s millennia-old artistic heritage.

Nandalal Bose - the celebrated artist of the Santiniketan (Kala Bhavan) school - led the team that decorated and illustrated the Constitution. Under his guidance, every page received borders, motifs and historical or mythological miniatures, linking the legal document to India’s cultural memory. He brought an aesthetic rooted in Indian tradition and modern sensibility, turning the Constitution into a national artistic heritage.

Ramkinkar Baij, one of India’s pioneering modern sculptors and a prominent figure at Santiniketan, was an influential artistic presence during the period when the Constitution’s illustrations were being created. Although he did not directly contribute to the official artwork or calligraphy of the Constitution, his association with Kala Bhavan and his innovative approach to Indian visual culture shaped the creative atmosphere of Santiniketan. His role was more indirect, providing an artistic environment and inspiration that influenced the broader team involved in the Constitution’s aesthetic development.