4.

MINIATURE PAINTING
As the name suggests, miniature paintings refer to paint works
that are small in size but capture great detail of subject and
expression in the work. In India, miniature paintings form a
broad category, including an abundance of Mughal miniature
paintings that depict the court life and the contemporary
personalities, events and actions of the Mughal times. The main
characteristic of the miniature paintings is the intricate
brushwork and the vibrant colours made from semi-precious
stones, conch shells, gold and silver.
Developed during the Mughal Period (16th 19th century),
Indian miniature paintings have a touch of Persian miniature.
Though miniature paintings developed in the Mughal courts, the
style was adopted by the Hindus (Rajputs) and later the Sikhs.
Mughal miniatures flourished under the reign of Akbar, Jahangir
and Shah Jahan. There are quite a few of these paintings
curated and preserved.
5. GOND ART
Gond art is a form of tribal art developed by the Gonds of
central India. This art has been inspired by the hills, streams
and forests in which the Gonds live. Nature and social customs
are depicted by the Gond artists with a series of dots and
dashes intricately arranged into forms. Gond paintings are
made on walls, ceilings and floors of village houses in honour of
customs and festivals. The Gonds also believe that their
paintings are infused with a luck factor. The paintings are a
combination of earth tones and vibrant hues, which bring the
canvas to life.
The technique of Gond art can be traced back to the old art of
tattooing which is common among the Gonds. The paintings
began with an attempt to record folklore and tribal stories sung
by wandering poets and singers. Capturing stories in art has
been a common practice in India.