The Constitution of India is a living reflection of the nation’s soul—a timeless document that binds law, culture, history, and philosophy into one unified whole. Every nation writes its future in its own way. India chose to write hers with courage and ideals. In this context, each of the 22 chapters of the Constitution begins with a beautifully hand-painted artistic illustration. Unfortunately, these artworks are missing from the copies of the Constitution available across the country today.

This was stated by renowned litterateur Ashok Nadir while addressing a press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club on Thursday. Ashok Nadir is bringing out his new book, “The Indian Constitution – A Confluence of Law, Art and History,” which deals with this very issue. The book is scheduled to be released on December 21. He was interacting with journalists about the subject matter of the book.

Accompanying him was one of the country’s eminent constitutional experts, Balram Gupta, a well-known senior advocate who devoted nearly 50 years of his life to the legal profession. Speaking on the occasion, Balram Gupta said that when he came to know about this unique feature of the Constitution, he tried to verify its authenticity. He then discovered that, in reality, everyone—from the common citizen to those associated with the legal profession, and even politicians who govern the country after taking oath on the Constitution—has been deprived of the authentic version of the Constitution for decades.

Ashok Nadir further explained that an important fact came to light in February this year when Member of Parliament Mohan Das Agrawal raised a question on the issue in the Rajya Sabha. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar clarified that the only authentic version of the Constitution is the one signed by its framers and containing the original paintings. This acknowledgment rekindled national reverence for the Constitution, reinforcing the view that it is not merely a legal instrument but also a cultural and spiritual heritage.

According to him, each of these twenty-two paintings conveys a message of India’s continuity and collective conscience. The Mohenjo-daro seal reminds us of our civilizational depth; the Vedic ashram represents moral and educational balance; and the images of Buddha and Mahavira impart lessons of compassion and restraint in governance. Scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata emphasize the eternal balance between rights and duties. The later panels depicting Ashoka, Akbar, Shivaji, Guru Gobind Singh, Rani Lakshmi Bai, Tipu Sultan, and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose portray the spirit of leadership, resistance, and sacrifice that shaped Indian nationhood. Illustrations of India’s mountains, rivers, and seas symbolize endurance, diversity, and unity.

Providing further details, he said that beyond its political and legal importance, the Constitution is also a masterpiece of art and symbolism. The original handwritten copy, preserved in Parliament, is adorned with twenty-two hand-painted artworks created by the great artist Nandalal Bose and his students from Shantiniketan. Each painting captures a defining chapter of India’s journey—from the Indus Valley and the Vedic era to the freedom movement and independence.

These artworks transform the Constitution from a legal manuscript into a living narrative of India’s soul. Yet, for decades, this artistic treasure remained hidden, as printed copies carried only the text and omitted the paintings that give the document its visual life.