Miniature Paintings

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Paintings are an age old tradition in India where wall paintings were prominently used as a medium of expression. However during the 11th and 12 century the concept of illustrated palm leaf manuscripts came into being. Manuscripts are very small in size hence; the painting done on it had to be comparatively smaller. With this need the concept of miniature paintings came into existence.

Miniature paintings are also done on paper, ivory panels, wooden tables, leather, marble, cloth and walls. Some of the special Miniature paintings include illustrated manuscripts of Jains and Buddhists, the flowering of the Mughal, Rajput and Deccan miniatures. Themes used were from Indian epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagvata Purana, Rasikpriya, Rasamanjiri as well as ragas of Indian classical music, etc.

The core of miniature painting lies in Rajasthan and can be traced back to its schools of Jodhpur, Jaipur, Mughal, Kangra and Mewar.

The Jodhpur School of Miniature paintings depict love scenes of lovers Dholu and Maru on camel back. There are hunting scenes with elephants and horses. The major colours used in this style of painting are gold and stone colour.

Mughal School of Miniature Painting depicts love scenes, Mughal Royal courts and the battle fields in gold and stone colours. The Mughal paintings feature stylized imagery in rich draped figures with a blend of Indian and Persian styles.

The difference between the Rajput and the Mughal miniature paintings is in the use of colours. While the Mughal school features muted colours, giving it a shadow and depth, the Rajasthan School uses bold primary colours which give the painting an abstract look.

Some of the other Schools of Miniature Painting include paintings from Malwa School, Bundhelkhand School, Raghogarh School, Bandhelkhand School, Bani Thani and so on. The folk miniature paintings emerged in two different styles known as Phads and Pichwais. These were developed by the artisans and peasants and are very attractive and vibrant.

Technique: A high degree of expertise is required and this art is carried out delicately with a very fine brush and is characteristic of intricate, colorful and rational impressions. The colours used are mainly derived from minerals, vegetables, precious stones, indigo, conch shells, gold and silver which are obtained through a painstaking process.

Paper painting in Miniature art are done on old or new hand made paper of very fine quality that depict Animals, Birds, Butterfly, Mughal themes and more. One can put these as wall hanging decorations. Miniature paintings made of pure marble slabs that feature Mythology, Birds, Turbans, Women and Mughal themes can be used as table tops or wall frames.

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