Indian Paintings

 India contains a marvelous painting in its history. About 1000 years ago there are many petroglyphs (rock paintings)found in several states of India. There were countless rulers who build their paintings of the fort,  irresistible queens, gardens, etc.

History Of Indian Paintings:

1. Bhimbetka rock shelters are situated in Raisen District Madhya Pradesh, an archaeological place having different rock paintings at the time of the Paleolithic and Mesolithic period. It is UNESCO(United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation)World Heritage Site consist of 7 hills over 750 rock shelter spread along with a 10 km range. Theses drawings are divided into periods. First is the Upper Paleolithic period consist of red and green color rock paintings of Tigers, Rhinoceroses, and Bison. Second is the Mesolithic Period contain rock paintings of animals, the human figure, hunting scenes, weapons, dances, musical instruments, and men carrying dead animals. The third is the Chalcolithic Period comprises the paintings of dwellers exchange goods with changing communities of Malwa Plains. Fourth is Early historic consist of riders, tunic-like dresses, and the existence of scripted painted in red and white color. And the last is the medieval period which consists of geometrical linear and more schematic paintings having zoo rock depicts Elephants, Barasingha, Bison, and Deer. Hunting scenes, horse riders, rulers carry swords, and Natraj(a painting of Lord Shiva who danced in it).

2. Ajanta Caves: It is 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which dated about 2nd century BCE to 480 CE in Aurangabad Maharashtra. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consisting of paintings of Jataka Tales(Body of literature concerning about rebirth of Gautama Buddha in the human as well as in an animal form), Mural Paintings in Satavahana(Indian ancient Dynasty based in the Deccan region) times, Gerco-Buddhist art(representation of Buddh in human form), and  Dry-fresco paintings(lime plaster mural).

3. Bagh Cave: It is located in Dhar District Madhya Pradesh consists of a group of nine rock-cut monuments. These are generally famous for Mural Paintings(theses are the piece of artwork drawing on walls, ceilings, or other permanent surfaces). The caves are the resting place of the monk also called viharas, prayer halls(chaitya), and the cave 4  'Rang Mahal'(palace of color). 

4. Sittanavasal Cave: It is also called as ''Arivar Kovil'', a small hamlet of Jain monastery in Pudukkottai District of Tamil Nadu. The paintings are in fresco-secco(it is a wall painting technique applied on dry plaster) techniques with many mineral colors. Fish, buffaloes, elephant, two dancing figures, people collecting lotus from ponds, and Jaina Samavasarana the most beautiful tent referred to the achievement of Nirvana(heaven) are decorated on the walls.

5. Armamalai Cave: These caves contain various Jain paintings, petroglyphs, rock art, and mural paintings on the roof and the wall of the Cave. These paintings were made by Jain Monk who stayed in it. Fresco and Tempera techniques were applied. 

6. Ravana Chhaya Rock Shelter: The paintings refer to the Demon Name Ravan(the king of Lanka) which stands 22feet above the ground.

Ancient Text defined six limbs of Paintings(Shadanga):

i) Rupabheda-The Knowledge of appearance or 'bhavas' or 'Rupa' or facial expression.

ii) Pramanam - It is the correct structure, measurement, and conception of living and non-living things.

iii) Bhava- Expression or feelings of a portrait.  

iv) Lavanya Yojanam- Best artistic approach towards the paintings.

v) Sadrisyam- Similarities between real and art.

vi) Varnikabhanga- Proper way of using the right type of brush and colors. 

Mughal Paintings: In the 16th and 19th centuries the Mughal Empires wanted their actions in records as hunters and conquerors, Artist-made Persian Miniature(a small Persian painting on paper). The history of Mughals painting started after Akbar consolidated the political power and built a new capital Fatehpur Sikri where he collected artists from India and Persia. In his region, more than a hundred painters were employed form Gujrat, Gwalior, and Kashmir who gave birth to the Mughal School of miniature paintings like the Hamzanama series, Hamzanam or Dastan-e-Amir Hamza narrates the legendary exploit of Amir Hamza an uncle of Muhammad(founder of Islam) were illustrated by Mir Syed Ali. The prophet Elijah(lived in Israel) rescued Nur-ud-Dahar from drowning in a river, Battle of Mazandaran(an event of Persian Romance in Mythical adventure), and Umar defeat a Dragon these paintings are categorized in Hamzanam. 

Deccan Paintings:  These were produced in various Deccan Sultanates(five late medieval kingdoms on Deccan Plateau between the Krishana river and Vindhya range) that emerged from the breakup of the Brahmani Sultanate(Persianate Muslim empire of Deccan in South India). Ragamala or "Garland of Ragas" is one of the famous paintings in Deccan, it represents the mood and color of ragas, describing a story of Hero and Heroine, day and time in which a particular song be sung, and the last is Hindu Deities attached with raga-like Bhairava to Shiva.

Rajput Paintings: Shekhawati Paintings which furnish the wall of many buildings including Havelis in the Shekhawat region in Rajasthan and Bikaner Style of Paintings is Rajasthan Paintings similar to Mughal Style and with some elements of Deccan. These Paintings also include the story of Mahabharata, Ramayana, Life of Lord Krishana, and beautiful landscapes. Rajput Paintings consist of four styles first is Mewar School that contains the Udaipur, Chavand, Devgarh, and Sawar. Second is Marwar School comprising the Kishangarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Nagpur. The third is Hadoti(Bundi) School with Kota and Bundi. Last is Dhundar School in Amber, Jaipur, and Uniara. 

Pahari Paintings: Pahari Paintings is an Umbrella term used for the form of Indian Paintings, done in Miniature Style, originating from the Himalayan Hills Kingdom in North India like Jammu, Garwal, and Basohli. Basoli and Kulu style Paintings consist of Supreme Goddess and Bhagwat Purana. Gular and Kangra styles contain different landscapes and fineness of women.

Mysore Paintings: Mainly Hindu Mythology in South India originated from Mysore Karnataka. A paste used in these paintings made up of Zinc Oxide and Arabic Gum is called "gesso paste". With the help of a thin brush, all jewelry and part of the Throne have some relief are painted over give raised effect of Carving(shaping).

Tanjore Paintings: The art form dated back to the early 9th century, originates from the Chola dynasty in Tanjore Tamil Nady, comprising mostly Hindu god. Similar to Mysore Paintings contain chalk powder or Zinc Oxide mix with a water-soluble adhesive applies on the base.

Pattachitra: In Sanskrit language, Patta means "cloth" and Chitra means "Picture". These are Odisha and West Bengal Paintings. The themes are based on Hindu Mythology and specially inspired by Janagantha and Vaishnava sects. Patta Paintings are done in small strips of cloth. Painters used glue, chalk, gum made from tamarind seeds, etc for cloth paintings.

British Colonial Paintings:

In the 18th and 19th century when Britishers annexed India they made different paintings which were based on Rajput and Mughals style.

Company Style: It is an Indo-European style made in India by Indian Artists who worked under the rule of  East India Company. These were mostly done on paper and it is the modified version of India's tradition in which western theme get included.