Different schools of art compared
Table 1
Mughal
Origin Earlier Persian blend.
Became Indian under Akbar.
Type Mostly in miniature form
Themes Document of life at the
Mughal court, battles, hunt,
arrival of embassies,
festivities
Portrait paintings developed
under Jahangir
Exceptional Point
Characteristics Realism is the keynote of this
style
Artists had made contacts
with Western art. Influence
can be seen.
Technique
Major Artists Basawan, Daswanth,
Kesudasa, Mansur
Major Works Akbarnama illustrations; rare
birds and animals Falcon
(CS Museum, Bombay), Red
Blossoms floral painting
Pahari
Originated in the sub-
Himalayan kingdoms of 19th
century.
Mostly done in miniature
form
Love of man for woman.
Symbolised by Krishna and
Radha
Bold and intense Basohli
Delicate and lyrical; Tones
subdued and lines exquisitely
fine - Kangra
Rajasthani/Rajput
Early 16th century. Various
sub-schools existed
Strongly influenced by the
contemporary literary and
musical forms, and draw
upon their motifs
<details below>
Decorate in their Two dimensional imagery.
composition and colour
scheme
Landscape lacks the
naturalism of the Mughal
school
Used wider canvas
Jodhpur and Nagaur
paintings.
Madhubani/Mithila
Done traditionally by the
women in the villages near
the town of Madhubani. It
originated as floor and wall
paintings.
Essentially a folk tradition
Nature and Hindu religious
motifs
Was originally practiced by
Brahmins and Kayasthas. Later
SC women also adopted it. But
the themes of the two are
different. While higher castes
depicted mythological
themes, SCs experimented
with day-to-day scenes.
Snakes are a prominent
Colors derived from plants.
No space is left empty. Gaps
are filled by painting flowers,
plants animals and even
geometric shapes.
Traditionally done as murals
on mud walls. Now is also
done one cloth, paper and
canvas
Jagdamba Devi, Mahasundari
Devi
Manjusha/Angika Tanjore
17th century under the
patronage of Tanjores
Maratha rulers
Usually portrayed deities.
Vishnu,Shiva and Krishna
Artists adhered strictly to
feature iconography as these
paintings were made for
ritual and worship and not for
display as is mostly the case
today.
Made on jackwood pasted
with unbleached cloth to
which a mixture of limestone,
chalk powder, gum and
honey are applied in layers on
a sketch of the icon. Extra
coats given to raise some
parts of the painting.
Jewellery etc are put.
Major schools Basohli, Guler, Kangra Malwa, Mewar (Ragamala Bharni style, Kachni style
paintings), Marwar,
Kishangarh, Jaipur, Bundi,
Kotah
Patrons Akbar, Jahangir Raja Kripal Singh (Bahsoli) Sarabhiji 2, Shivaji 2,
Mummadi Krishnaraja
Wodeyar

Rajasthani Art Schools

Mewar (Ragamala)

themes from the life of Krishna and his frolic with the gopis; heroes and heroines of Hindi poetry.
Scenes from Bhagvata and Ramayana
Landscape lacks the naturalism of the Mughal school

Marwar

Genuine Rajput style evolved under this school

Equestrian portraits of the royal house and the nobility.
Show bold types of expression with broad, fish eyes in human faces
This school is essentially Hindu

Jaipur

Raslila was painted. It became an earthly erotic amusement

Manjusha Art
Manjushas are temple shaped boxes containing eight pillars
The boxes often contain the paintings of gods, goddesses and other characters
The boxes are used in Bishahari Puja
This is practiced in the Bhagalpur region of Bihar
Handicrafts
Channapatna toys
o Wooden toys from Karnataka
Nirmal Toys
o Wooden toys made in the town of Nirmal in Adilabad district
Tanjore doll
o Bobblehead made of terracotta

Sandpainting

Kolam

Drawn using rice powder by female members in front of their home

Mainly in South India

Rangoli

North India. Using sand colors, flour or flowers

Other fine arts

Mehandi
Pichhwai
o Intricate paintings that portray Lord Krishna
o Exist in the town of nathdwara in Rajasthan
Tarakashi
o A type of metalwork from Cuttack

Indian Art Awards

Kalaimamani
o By Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Manram
Kalidas Samman
o Presented by the MP govt
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
Shilp Guru
o By GOI to a master craftsperson. Started in 2002.
Tulsi Samman
o By MP govt. In fields of art, theatre, dance and music.
Varnashilpi Venkatappa Award
 o By Karnataka govt for excellence in painting