Indian paintings can be considered one of the earliest, best, and the most beautiful paintings in the world. Painting is also considered as a holy art. It is said that Lord Vishnu passed on this art to Vishwakarma who spread it to the world.
This is a brief insight into the history, beauty, and achievements of Indian painters and their masterpieces.
EARLIEST PAINTINGS:
The earliest Indian paintings were the rock paintings of prehistoric times, the petroglyphs as found in places like the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, and some of them are older than 5500 BC. Such works continued and after several millennia, in the 7th century, carved pillars of Ajanta, Maharashtra state present a fine example of Indian paintings, and the colors, mostly various shades of red and orange, were derived from minerals, vegetables animal products and lamp black.
Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, India are rock-cut cave monuments dating back to the second century BCE and containing paintings and sculpture considered to be masterpieces of both Buddhist religious art and universal pictorial art.
DIFFERENT STYLES:
Indian paintings can be broadly classified into the following types:
a) Tanjore paintings.
b) Miniature paintings
c) Pata chitras
d) Jadupatau paintings
e) Madhubani paintings
f) Kalamkari paintings
g) Phadas
h) Kangra paintings.
TANJORE PAINTINGS:
This form of painting developed in the city of Tanjore which was earlier called Thanjavur. It was the capital of the Chola kingdom whose ruler were great patrons of art. Amidst this backdrop the Tanjore form of paintings was developed.
Characteristics:
The most strking feature of this form is the use of precious and semi precious stones, pearls, glass pieces and gold in the paintings. Most of the paintings depict God and Goddesses because of the flourishing temple culture during that period. They depict them with round divine faces. Tanjore paintings come in a variety of sizes ranging from a small 3 inch miniature on to a large one covering and entire wall. The relief work done on them by good painters gives it a 3 dimensional effect.
Links for pictures
http://www.freewebs.com/tanjorepaintings/Radha%20krishn.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_Ql08rH5bXBoU7frIq9RaA3QnDnJ5osmsLthmHSPOjCX4W-kgoguu1szINIg0DXM4iIYkxf2c_I5ASqfQ0kpXlLcfb-7mcKj3hZZ1Tm2eWc0hVxyESwhpD0sVfgLugFCPn-EiZBHLbVC/s400/Tanjore_1.jpg
http://www.cicsworld.org/blogs/psekhar/ganesh2418.jpg
MINIATURE PAINTINGS:
Miniature paintings are small, intricate, yet colorful embodiment of an artist’s heart. They are delicate paintings on small paper, ivory panels, wooden tablets, leather, marble chips or walls.
Miniature paintings received a boost under the patronage of the Mughals. The Malwa, Deccan, and Hindu kings of Rajasthan also encouraged this form. The miniature paintings of the Mughals had a strong Persian influence. The paintings were done to extreme detail mainly depicting the court scenes and the royal hunting expeditions. Flowers and animals were also a common theme.
The colors used in these paintings were made of minerals, vegetables, precious stones, indigo, conch shells, pure gold and silver. They made use of very fine brushes. Many of the miniature paintings were based on ragas with each raga being depicted in a different mood and atmosphere.
During the same time, different schools of miniature paintings in Rajasthan flourished like the Mewar, Bundi-Kota Kalam, Jaipur, Bikaner, Kishangarh and Mewar Schools. Each of these schools had their unique style and portrayed the images of hills, valleys, deserts, palaces, forts, gardens, court scenes, religious processions and the scenes from the life of Lord Krishna
Links for pictures
http://www.himachal.us/wp-content/uploads/blogger/img/210/2054/1024/PACC075.jpg
http://www.rajasthanheritage.com/images/miniature/rhpmn0002.jpg
PATACHITRAS:
Paintings done on scrolls are known as Patachitras. This was first developed by the craftsmen of Orissa. They mainly depict the events relating to Lord Jagannath of Puri. Mainly cotton or tussar silk is used with a coated with a mixture of chalk, tamarind seed and gum to give a leathery feel to the surface. They are known for the bright vibrant colors and distinct lines.
This art was initially confined only to the Raghurajpur and Dandasahi villages in the district of Puri. But later after temples were constructed it spread to many districts. Patachitras play a very important role in the temple life and cultural of Orissa.
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/04-08/patachitras15.jpg
http://galen-frysinger.com/india/orissa12.jpg
JADUPATAU:
Jadupatau paintings are vertical scroll paintings popular in Murshidabad, Birbhum, Hooghly, Burdwan, and Midnapore districts of West Bengal and Bihar. Traditionally, they were executed on cloth, which was later replaced by paper.
The paintings depict the rewards and punishments given put by Lord Yama to the souls after they move out of their worldly bodies. The painters and known as Jadupataus meaning magical painters. A common feature of these painters was visiting the house of the dead with a complete portrait. Besides this their other themes included animals, ornaments and money. The Santals were a popular theme in this form and many paintings included the festivals of Santals, Jatras of Santals and also included Lord Krishna with the Gopikas. These paintings made use of natural colours and fine brushes made of goat hair.
http://www.indigoarts.com/gallery_art/jadupatua1c_med.jpg
http://www.indigoarts.com/gallery_art/jadupatua1a_bongas_med.jpg
MADHUBANI:
It is a village in Bihar which also lends it name to the world famous form of folk painting called Madhubani or Maithil paintings. They were done by the women of the Maithil Brahmin caste on walls on auspicious occasions. There was predominant use of gods and goddesses and auspicious symbols. Divine couples like Shiva and Parvati, Vishnu and Lakshmi, Ram and Sita, Radha and Krishna along with Jagannatha trio, Ganesha, Durga and Kali were illustrated on the walls.
Symbols like ring of lotuses bamboo, moon, sun, parrots, and fishes were used. They mainly signified the togetherness and prosperity of the newly wed couple.
The paintings were done in soft mud walls coated with cow dung. Often a coat of white wash was also given. Vegetable colors mixed with milk, oil or gums were used. The most common colors in this form of paintings were pink, yellow, blue, and red, green, black and white. A piece of cloth tied to a twig or a sliver of bamboo frayed at the end was used as a brush.
The main themes of Madhubani paintings are, cycle of life, gods, goddesses and mythical figures, animals. Madhubani wall paintings are a part of the wedding ceremonies. These paintings are popular because of their tribal motifs and use of bright earthy colors.
http://www.sulekha.com/mstore/pagal-pan/albums/madhubani-painting.jpg
http://www.indialine.com/travel/images/madhubani-painting.jpg
KALAMKARI:
Kalamkari is the ancient Indian art of painting on cotton fabric. In this form the fabric is patterned thorough dye. It is then treated with a mordant which will help it to absorb all colors.
The use of pen or kalam in this form leads to the name. These paintings are used as decorative hangings, wrapping or covering material. It is popular in the five districts of Krishna in South India.
http://www.gangesindia.com/catalog/images/kalamkari05_l.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTiXysLOkFm7vasSiKsBSxZFYR9T1tebVndM8WIHMaeVr0ki5mEAycUAfeoY2ojb4qgFHf8XV28xX4zRnn52NyySkA9AmPClWPlMV8O17axaJFOpKfORm4hyphenhyphenZVeEMcah4lj44-mnsLkE/s320/kalamkari10.jpg
PHADAS:
This form of paintings is popular in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. It is done on cloth. The main themes include the local deities and their stories and the glory of the rulers of the land. It is a type of scroll painting. The phads as they are called depicted the glory of the heroes and their bravery. Rulers like Goga Chauhan, Prithvi Raj Chauhan, Tejaji and many others were often depicted in these phads. Phads are painted by the people of the chippi caste known as Joshis.
A coarse, white cloth is starched and smoothened with a wooden burnisherThen the initial sketch is drawn with a non-permanent yellow color. After that, the faces and the figures are painted with a saffron color. Then colors in the following sequence-green, brown, vermilion, sky blue, and finally black is used for outlining the figures. Colors derived from vegetables and minerals are used but today even synthetic colors have also become popular. The brushes are made from the hair of the squirrel tail or goat.
KANGRA:
Kangra is a miniature form of painting of the Pahari school of painting. The paintings were naturalistic and employed cool, fresh colors. The colors were extracted from minerals, vegetables and possessed enamel-like luster. Greenery of the landscape, brooks, springs were the common themes. Texts of the Gita Govinda, Bhiari's Satsai, and the Baramasa of Keshavdas were also depicted by the artists. Krishna and Radha as eternal lovers were portrayed. The Kangra miniatures are also noted for portraying the famine charm with a natural grace.
In its later stage it included scenes like star-studded skies and also portrayed storms with lightning running across the horizon. These features were absent in the other schools of panting. Later, Kangra miniatures also depicted towns and cluster of houses in the distance.
Thus we have a very brief insight into the most famous and popular styles of Indian Paintings. They are yet many more schools of paintings which have their own beauty and value. This is just a small effort to bring out the rich and vibrant culture of paintings.
Indian paintings can be considered one of the earliest, best, and the most beautiful paintings in the world. Painting is also considered as a holy art. It is said that Lord Vishnu passed on this art to Vishwakarma who spread it to the world.
This is a brief insight into the history, beauty, and achievements of Indian painters and their masterpieces.
EARLIEST PAINTINGS:
The earliest Indian paintings were the rock paintings of prehistoric times, the petroglyphs as found in places like the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, and some of them are older than 5500 BC. Such works continued and after several millennia, in the 7th century, carved pillars of Ajanta, Maharashtra state present a fine example of Indian paintings, and the colors, mostly various shades of red and orange, were derived from minerals, vegetables animal products and lamp black.
Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, India are rock-cut cave monuments dating back to the second century BCE and containing paintings and sculpture considered to be masterpieces of both Buddhist religious art and universal pictorial art.
DIFFERENT STYLES:
Indian paintings can be broadly classified into the following types:
a) Tanjore paintings.
b) Miniature paintings
c) Pata chitras
d) Jadupatau paintings
e) Madhubani paintings
f) Kalamkari paintings
g) Phadas
h) Kangra paintings.
TANJORE PAINTINGS:
This form of painting developed in the city of Tanjore which was earlier called Thanjavur. It was the capital of the Chola kingdom whose ruler were great patrons of art. Amidst this backdrop the Tanjore form of paintings was developed.
Characteristics:
The most strking feature of this form is the use of precious and semi precious stones, pearls, glass pieces and gold in the paintings. Most of the paintings depict God and Goddesses because of the flourishing temple culture during that period. They depict them with round divine faces. Tanjore paintings come in a variety of sizes ranging from a small 3 inch miniature on to a large one covering and entire wall. The relief work done on them by good painters gives it a 3 dimensional effect.
Links for pictures
http://www.freewebs.com/tanjorepaintings/Radha%20krishn.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_Ql08rH5bXBoU7frIq9RaA3QnDnJ5osmsLthmHSPOjCX4W-kgoguu1szINIg0DXM4iIYkxf2c_I5ASqfQ0kpXlLcfb-7mcKj3hZZ1Tm2eWc0hVxyESwhpD0sVfgLugFCPn-EiZBHLbVC/s400/Tanjore_1.jpg
http://www.cicsworld.org/blogs/psekhar/ganesh2418.jpg
MINIATURE PAINTINGS:
Miniature paintings are small, intricate, yet colorful embodiment of an artist’s heart. They are delicate paintings on small paper, ivory panels, wooden tablets, leather, marble chips or walls.
Miniature paintings received a boost under the patronage of the Mughals. The Malwa, Deccan, and Hindu kings of Rajasthan also encouraged this form. The miniature paintings of the Mughals had a strong Persian influence. The paintings were done to extreme detail mainly depicting the court scenes and the royal hunting expeditions. Flowers and animals were also a common theme.
The colors used in these paintings were made of minerals, vegetables, precious stones, indigo, conch shells, pure gold and silver. They made use of very fine brushes. Many of the miniature paintings were based on ragas with each raga being depicted in a different mood and atmosphere.
During the same time, different schools of miniature paintings in Rajasthan flourished like the Mewar, Bundi-Kota Kalam, Jaipur, Bikaner, Kishangarh and Mewar Schools. Each of these schools had their unique style and portrayed the images of hills, valleys, deserts, palaces, forts, gardens, court scenes, religious processions and the scenes from the life of Lord Krishna
Links for pictures
http://www.himachal.us/wp-content/uploads/blogger/img/210/2054/1024/PACC075.jpg
http://www.rajasthanheritage.com/images/miniature/rhpmn0002.jpg
PATACHITRAS:
Paintings done on scrolls are known as Patachitras. This was first developed by the craftsmen of Orissa. They mainly depict the events relating to Lord Jagannath of Puri. Mainly cotton or tussar silk is used with a coated with a mixture of chalk, tamarind seed and gum to give a leathery feel to the surface. They are known for the bright vibrant colors and distinct lines.
This art was initially confined only to the Raghurajpur and Dandasahi villages in the district of Puri. But later after temples were constructed it spread to many districts. Patachitras play a very important role in the temple life and cultural of Orissa.
http://www.harekrsna.com/sun/features/04-08/patachitras15.jpg
http://galen-frysinger.com/india/orissa12.jpg
JADUPATAU:
Jadupatau paintings are vertical scroll paintings popular in Murshidabad, Birbhum, Hooghly, Burdwan, and Midnapore districts of West Bengal and Bihar. Traditionally, they were executed on cloth, which was later replaced by paper.
The paintings depict the rewards and punishments given put by Lord Yama to the souls after they move out of their worldly bodies. The painters and known as Jadupataus meaning magical painters. A common feature of these painters was visiting the house of the dead with a complete portrait. Besides this their other themes included animals, ornaments and money. The Santals were a popular theme in this form and many paintings included the festivals of Santals, Jatras of Santals and also included Lord Krishna with the Gopikas. These paintings made use of natural colours and fine brushes made of goat hair.
http://www.indigoarts.com/gallery_art/jadupatua1c_med.jpg
http://www.indigoarts.com/gallery_art/jadupatua1a_bongas_med.jpg
MADHUBANI:
It is a village in Bihar which also lends it name to the world famous form of folk painting called Madhubani or Maithil paintings. They were done by the women of the Maithil Brahmin caste on walls on auspicious occasions. There was predominant use of gods and goddesses and auspicious symbols. Divine couples like Shiva and Parvati, Vishnu and Lakshmi, Ram and Sita, Radha and Krishna along with Jagannatha trio, Ganesha, Durga and Kali were illustrated on the walls.
Symbols like ring of lotuses bamboo, moon, sun, parrots, and fishes were used. They mainly signified the togetherness and prosperity of the newly wed couple.
The paintings were done in soft mud walls coated with cow dung. Often a coat of white wash was also given. Vegetable colors mixed with milk, oil or gums were used. The most common colors in this form of paintings were pink, yellow, blue, and red, green, black and white. A piece of cloth tied to a twig or a sliver of bamboo frayed at the end was used as a brush.
The main themes of Madhubani paintings are, cycle of life, gods, goddesses and mythical figures, animals. Madhubani wall paintings are a part of the wedding ceremonies. These paintings are popular because of their tribal motifs and use of bright earthy colors.
http://www.sulekha.com/mstore/pagal-pan/albums/madhubani-painting.jpg
http://www.indialine.com/travel/images/madhubani-painting.jpg
KALAMKARI:
Kalamkari is the ancient Indian art of painting on cotton fabric. In this form the fabric is patterned thorough dye. It is then treated with a mordant which will help it to absorb all colors.
The use of pen or kalam in this form leads to the name. These paintings are used as decorative hangings, wrapping or covering material. It is popular in the five districts of Krishna in South India.
http://www.gangesindia.com/catalog/images/kalamkari05_l.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTiXysLOkFm7vasSiKsBSxZFYR9T1tebVndM8WIHMaeVr0ki5mEAycUAfeoY2ojb4qgFHf8XV28xX4zRnn52NyySkA9AmPClWPlMV8O17axaJFOpKfORm4hyphenhyphenZVeEMcah4lj44-mnsLkE/s320/kalamkari10.jpg
PHADAS:
This form of paintings is popular in the Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. It is done on cloth. The main themes include the local deities and their stories and the glory of the rulers of the land. It is a type of scroll painting. The phads as they are called depicted the glory of the heroes and their bravery. Rulers like Goga Chauhan, Prithvi Raj Chauhan, Tejaji and many others were often depicted in these phads. Phads are painted by the people of the chippi caste known as Joshis.
A coarse, white cloth is starched and smoothened with a wooden burnisherThen the initial sketch is drawn with a non-permanent yellow color. After that, the faces and the figures are painted with a saffron color. Then colors in the following sequence-green, brown, vermilion, sky blue, and finally black is used for outlining the figures. Colors derived from vegetables and minerals are used but today even synthetic colors have also become popular. The brushes are made from the hair of the squirrel tail or goat.
KANGRA:
Kangra is a miniature form of painting of the Pahari school of painting. The paintings were naturalistic and employed cool, fresh colors. The colors were extracted from minerals, vegetables and possessed enamel-like luster. Greenery of the landscape, brooks, springs were the common themes. Texts of the Gita Govinda, Bhiari's Satsai, and the Baramasa of Keshavdas were also depicted by the artists. Krishna and Radha as eternal lovers were portrayed. The Kangra miniatures are also noted for portraying the famine charm with a natural grace.
In its later stage it included scenes like star-studded skies and also portrayed storms with lightning running across the horizon. These features were absent in the other schools of panting. Later, Kangra miniatures also depicted towns and cluster of houses in the distance.
Thus we have a very brief insight into the most famous and popular styles of Indian Paintings. They are yet many more schools of paintings which have their own beauty and value. This is just a small effort to bring out the rich and vibrant culture of paintings.
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