Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Paintings On Indian Culture

Source:-(google.com.pk)
Paintings On Indian Culture Biography
Indian paintings provide an aesthetic continuum that extends from the early civilization to the present day. From being essentially religious in purpose in the beginning, Indian painting has evolved over the years to become a fusion of various cultures and traditions. The Indian painting was exposed to Greco-Roman as well as Iranian and Chinese influences. Cave paintings in different parts of India bear testimony to these influences and a continuous evolution of new idioms is evident. Indian paintings traditions go back to antiquity, as is evident from the murals of Ajanta, Ellora and other frescoes, the Buddhist palm leaf manuscripts, the Jain texts and the Deccan, Mughal and Kangra schools of miniature Indian painting.
Indian Painting is an old tradition, with ancient texts outlining theories of color and and anecdotal accounts suggesting that it was common for households to paint their doorways or indoor rooms where guests resided. Cave paintings from Ajanta, Bagh and Sittanvasal and temple paintings testify to a love of naturalism. Indian paintings provide an aesthetic continuum that extends from the early civilization to the present day. This form of art in India is vivid and lively, refined and sophisticated and bold and vigorous at the same time. From being essentially religious in purpose in the beginning, Indian paintings have evolved over the years to become a fusion of various traditions which influenced them.
Murals (Frescoes)
Murals in India date back to times beyond the pages of history. Painting murals is intrinsically linked to Indian painting traditions. In fact, murals are considered to be the earliest evidence of Indian paintings unearthed from the remnants of ancient civilization. India has a rich tradition of paintings since ancient times. In fact, in classical texts like Kamasutra of Vatsyanana, painting is considered as one of the 64 arts while Vishnudharmottarapurana accords it the status of the supreme art. It is also accepted as the giver of all deeds i.e. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.
The earliest paintings appear in the form of cave or rock wall paintings called Murals in pre historic India, in the region of Uttar Pradesh and Central India. These mural paintings are executed on bare rocks or diversely prepared supports and grounds or plasters, and the colors materials are derived from the natural materials like terra verte, red ochre, chalk, and yellow-ochre mixed with animal fat.
The figures of human beings and animals, hunting and family scenes are the central themes of these murals, which convey the observant eye and the trained hand even in man’s savage state.
According to the Vinaya Pitaka, the noted courtesan Amrapali of Vaishali instructed the painters to paint on the walls of her palace the figures of kings, traders, and merchants seen by them. It was by seeing the portrait of Mauryan ruler Bimbisara painted on the wall that she lost her heart to him. There are also numerous references to Chittagaras or picture halls or galleries maintained by the rulers in the ancient texts. Painting referred as Alekhya was a medium of expression of artist’s deepest instincts and emotions reconciled and integrated with his social experiences and cultural heritage.
Miniature Painting
 IThe culture and history of the western Himalayas gave birth, to an Art form in the17th Century, which we now know as the Miniature Paintings. Though known specimens of this art form can be traced only to the latter part of the 18 th Century, one has every reason to believe that this art form existed way before the datable specimens.
The themes of these paintings included the Ragas or musical codes of Indian Classical music. There were three primary schools of Indian Miniature Paintings - the Rajput, the Mughal and the Deccan schools.
The colorful illuminations, which captured the fancy of the royalty and aristocracy, emerged in the medieval period. The illustrated manuscripts of Jains and Buddhists, and the flowering of the Mughal, Rajput, and Deccan Miniatures are noted for their meticulous execution and artistic skills. The fine stroke of brushes conveyed the themes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagvata Purana, Rasikpriya, Rasamanjiri, etc.These masterpieces of yore have a universal appeal which still touch the right chord of the audience.
The irony of history never ceases to amaze. The mighty Himalayas nurtured in its western valleys, a School of Paintings known as the “Miniature”. This intricate school of art was characterized by delicate brushwork and existed in the forms of ‘illuminations' (Drawings included in a book, especially in medieval manuscripts) or normal paintings. Miniature Paintersused varied substances for coloring their drawings, namely- minerals, vegetables, precious stones, indigo, conch shells, pure gold and silver.
Madhubani Painting
Madhubani, a village nestled in the State of Bihar, literally translated means the forest of honey. The village is acclaimed worldwide for its folk paintings called Madhubani paintings or Maithil Paintings. Madhubani paintings were done by the womenfolk on the walls of the houses at the auspicious occasions. Women from the castes of Maithil Brahmins and Maithil Kayasths were the primary practitioners of this folk painting.
The painting was executed on smooth mud walls plastered with cow dung. Often, a coat of whitewash was also applied before actually starting the process of the painting. Traditionally, vegetable colors mixed with oil and milk or gum were employed. The primary colors in the madubani paintings were pink, yellow, blue, red, green, black and white. A piece of rag tied to a twig or a sliver of bamboo frayed at the end was used as a brush.
At the time of decorating the wall, women of the household and even from the neighborhood used to come together, the most experienced woman used to take the charge and drew outlines of the figures. Once, the outlines were sketched the other women used to fill in the colors in the shapes. Young girls were usually assigned the task of holding the pots of paint and preparation of paintbrushes. The idea was that they should get well acquainted with the ritual and technique of painting by the time they leave for their husband’s house.
Maithil Brahmins paintings can best be described as casual collection of figures, which seem to float like aimless creatures in a single flat plane yet gracefully harmonize with each other in the picture space. There is ample use of the blues, yellows, pinks, and reds in these fantasy paintings where the figure seems to have a waiving vitality.
It was a creative media to reach the divinity and bow’s one head in deep reverence for his blessings and goodness. Madhubani Paintings continue to fascinate all and one for their lively yet innocent depiction of themes which are humane on one hand and divine on the other hand.
Rajput Painting
Rajput painting originated in the royal states of Rajasthan, somewhere around the late 16th and early 17th century. The Mughals ruled almost all the princely states of Rajasthan at that time and because of this; most of the schools of Rajput Painting in India reflect strong Mughal influence. Each of the Rajput kingdoms evolved a distinctive style. However, similarities and common features can still be found in the paintings of different territories.
One can also observe the dominance of Chaurapanchasika group style in Indian Rajasthani Paintings. The main themes around which Rajasthani Paintings of India revolved include the Great epics of Ramayana and the Mahabharata, the life of Lord Krishna, landscapes and humans. Rajput paintings of India were also done on the walls of palaces, inner chambers of the forts, havelis, etc.
Starting from the 16th century, when the Rajput Painting originated, numerous schools emerged.
Amber and Jaipur - The paintings of Amber and Jaipur show strong Mughal influence. However, at the same time, the bold compositions and use of abstractions reflected regional characteristics. The 18th and early 19th century saw Rajput paintings illustrating episodes from the life of Krishna. The other popular themes of the 19th century were Ragamala and devotional subjects.
Bikaner - Rajasthani paintings of Bikaner were also based on Mughal tradition. Apart from the Mughal style, the paintings of Bikaner also reflect marked influence of Deccan paintings. During the late 18th century, the city started showing conservative Rajput styles with smoothness and abstractions. However, they were devoid of any pomposity and flamboyance.
Bundi - Rajput paintings started originating in Bundi around the late 16th century and reflected heavy Mughal influence. Wall paintings, dating back to the reign of Rao Ratan Singh (1607-1631), are good examples of Bundi style of paintings. The time of Rao Chattar Sal (1631-1658) and Bhao Singh (1658-1681) saw great emphasis on court scenes as themes. Other themes include those based on the lives of nobles, lovers and ladies.
Paintings On Indian Culture
Paintings On Indian Culture

Paintings On Indian Culture
Paintings On Indian Culture
Paintings On Indian Culture
Paintings On Indian Culture
Paintings On Indian Culture
Paintings On Indian Culture
Paintings On Indian Culture
Paintings On Indian Culture
Paintings On Indian Culture
Paintings On Indian Culture
Paintings On Indian Culture
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