The Scintillating Indian Paintings
The tradition of indian paintings is rooted in antiquity, more than 10,000 years old, when the rock paintings of Bimbetka in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh were made. Down the line, paintings flourished and adorned the caves, temples, courtrooms and many other buildings.
Many schools of thought came into existence under the patronage of the regional kings, each with its own distinctive feature. The paintings are still capable of enthralling and captivating anyone in their serene beauty and simplicity.
Early Indian paintings: CAVE AND MURAL PAINTINGS
From 2nd century B.C. to 8th -10th century A.D. paintings were made in the natural caves and rock cut chambers. The Indian rulers were great admirers of art and encouraged artists to go wild with their imagination. For example, Lepakshi painting, Junagadh caves, Elephanta caves, Montpezir, the Karla, Bhaja and Bedsa caves, Kanheri caves and Jogeshwari caves.
Ajanta and Ellora cave paintings: Indian Fresco paintings, the most famous paintings being 'The Dying Princess', Jataka based Buddhist paintings, Kailasa Temple, 'Ravan ki khai', 'Dasavatar', 'The Indra Sabha' and 'Jagannath Sabha'.
MUGHAL STYLE OF PAINTING
Highly influenced by Persian style, it was rather a result of collective efforts of 4-5 artists. Portraits, pencil drawing and perspective drawing began under their rule.
RAJPUT SCHOOL OF PAINTING
The Rajputs encouraged different styles within their kingdoms but Mewar style is the originator of the school. The school is characterized by the use of bright colours and based on the love of Lord Krishna and Radha.
Ragamala painting: music and painting are combined
Bani thani paintings
PAHARI PAINTINGS
The paintings have the characteristic coolness of the colours. Landscapes are the commonly used themes. Additionally, the school also accentuates the elegance and grace of the Indian women.
TANJORE PAINTING
Lord Krishna is their favourite muse and his life stories inspire painters to capture the innocence on the glass. The paintings are richly and lavishly made with extensive use of pearls and even semi-precious stones. Laces, bright colours and even wafer thin sheets of gold are used to accentuate the effect.
THANGKA PAINTING
Coming from the picturesque land of Ladakh, the paintings are inspired by Buddhist themes.
MADHUBANI PAINTING
World renowned painting style is also called Mithila painting. It is exclusively done by women. The paintings were earlier done on the wall and now on paper. Only natural colours are used to paint the deities and scintillating nature.
MYSORE SCHOOL OF PAINTINGS
The style is much similar to Tanjore school of paintings. Thinner gold leaves are used to augment the beauty of the paintings much inspired from the Hindu mythological stories.
MODERN ART
- Raja Ravi Varma
- Abindranath Tagore
- Rabindranath Tagore
- Nandlal Bose
Fondly called the 'Raffale of the East', Raja attached personal meanings to his paintings and is credited to revitalise the Indian art which stood ignored before the western art.
His paintings were a strong reaction against the seeping effects of western civilisation into Indian art and culture. The nationalist Tagore worked hard to revive all features of primitive paintings in India.
Spirituality, humaneness, serenity and rhythm, these things define the works of this Nobel laureate.
A key figure of contextual Modernism, Government of India has declared his works among the "nine artists" whose work, "not being antiquities", were to be henceforth considered "to be art treasures, having regard to their artistic and aesthetic value".
CONTEMPORARY PAINTERS
Contemporary artists are redefining the art with their imaginative and creative perspective. Amrita Shergill, M. F. Hussain, Satish Gujral, A.K. Haldar, Jamini Roy, V S Gaitonde, S.H.Raza, Tyeb Mehta, Bhupen Khakhar, Akbar Padamsee, J S Swaminathan, Atul Dodiya, Krishen Khanna, Nasreen Mohamedi, Jitish Kallat, Nalini Malini are a few to mention who have mesmerised the world with their pristine creativity.