Page 411 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

R A JASTHAN  409

Rajasthani Miniature Painting

The intricate and vivid paintings of Rajasthan’s princely states grew out of
illustrated Jain and Hindu sacred texts. Originally, they depicted mainly religious
themes, in bold lines and bright primary colours. After the 17th century, however,
the influence of the more sophisticated Mughal-Persian art tradition brought greater
delicacy of line, and a wider range of colours and themes into Rajasthani art. By
the 18th century, many princely states such as Kishangarh, Mewar, Bundi and Kota
had developed their own distinctive styles. In most schools of Rajasthani painting,
however, human figures are shown in profile, and different colours, seasons,
flowers and animals are used symbolically to express a variety of moods. These
various schools of miniature painting continue to flourish in Rajasthan today.

Jain religious text, early 17th century
Mewar Paintings
Large, detailed compositions, showing scenes
from the lives of the maharanas of Udaipur,
are characteristic of the Mewar School. The
paintings depict festivals, grand processions,
historic battles and religious ceremonies.
The Maharana Celebrating Gangaur (1715) The intricate detail was achieved by using
just a single squirrel hair as a brush.
Bundi and Kota Paintings
The neighbouring princely states of Bundi and
Kota produced outstanding miniatures. Bundi
specialized in depicting palace life and scenes
from Krishna’s life, executed in soft blues and
greens. Kota is renowned for its superb hunting
scenes, set in dramatic forested landscapes,
with wonderful depictions of animals and
foliage. An 18th-century court painter named
Sheikh Taju created many of them. Bundi miniature depicting a palace scene

Kishangarh
Paintings
Famous for his fine
portraits, the 18th-
century Kishangarh
artist, Nihal Chand,
found a favourite model
in the royal courtesan,
Bani Thani Radha, with
her elegantly elongated
features and enigmatic
expression. He was also
known for his lyrical
Bani Thani Radha, often called depictions of skyscapes
the Indian Mona Lisa and seasons. Maharao Durjan in the Kota Forest (1730)

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