Ques 1.

- The art of Miniature painting was introduced to the land of India by

the Mughals, who brought the much-revealed art form from Persia.
In the sixteenth century, the Mughal ruler Humayun brought artists from
Persia, who specialized in miniature painting.
The succeeding Mughal Emperor, Akbar built an atelier for them to promote
the rich art form.
These artists, on their part, trained Indian artists who produced paintings in a
new distinctive style, inspired by the royal and romantic lives of the Mughals.
The particular miniature produced by Indian artists in their own style is known
as Rajput or Rajasthani miniature.
This predilection for roman and fantasy is reflected in their choice of subject
matter for painting.
During this time, several schools of painting evolved, such as Mewar
(Udaipur), Bundi, Kotah, Marwar (Jodhpur), Bikaner, Jaipur, and Kishangarh.
These paintings are done with utmost care and in minute details, with strong
lines and bold colours set in harmonious patterns.
The miniature artists use paper, ivory panels, wooden tablets, leather, marble,
cloth and walls for their paintings.
Indian artists employed multiple perspectives unlike their European
counterparts in their paintings.
The colours are made from minerals and vegetables, precious stones, as well
as pure silver and gold.
The preparing and mixing of colour is an elaborate process.
It takes weeks, sometimes months, to get the desired results.
The brushes are required to be very fine, and to get high-quality results,
brushes even to this very day are made from hair of squirrels.
Traditionally, the paintings are aristocratic, individualistic and strong in
portraiture, where the plush court scenes and hunting expedition of royalty are
depicted.
Flowers and animals are also the recurrent images in the paintings.
The Kishangarh province in Rajasthan is known for its Bani Thani paintings.
It is a totally different style with highly exaggerated features like long necks,
large, almond shaped eyes, and long fingers.
This style of painting essentially depicts Radha and Krishna as divine lovers,
and beautifully portrays their mystical love.
Kishangarh miniature painting reached a peak in the eighteenth century,
during the rule of Raja Sawant Singh, who fell in love with a slave girl, Bani
Thani and commanded his artists to portray himself and her as Krishna and
Radha.
Other themes of Bani Thani paintings include portraits, court scenes, dancing,
hunting, music parties, nauka vihar (lovers travelling in a boat), Krishna Lila,
Bhagavata Purana and various other festivals like Holi, Diwali, Durga puja,
and Dussehra.
Thi ssyle of Rajasthani school is characterised by primitive vigour, bold
outlines and brilliant colours set into harmonious patterns.
However, with the passage of time, the natural colours have been replaced by
poster colours.
The schools of miniature have also been commercialized, and the artists
mostly replicate the work produced by the old painters.

Ques 2. The art of Miniature painting was introduced to the land of India by the Mughals,
who brought the much-revealed art form from Persia. In the sixteenth century, the Mughal ruler
Humayun brought artists from Persia, who specialized in miniature painting. The succeeding
Mughal Emperor, Akbar built an atelier for them to promote the rich art form. These artists, on
their part, trained Indian artists who produced paintings in a new distinctive style, inspired by the
royal and romantic lives of the Mughals. The particular miniature produced by Indian artists in
their own style is known as Rajput or Rajasthani miniature. During this time, several schools of
painting evolved, such as Mewar (Udaipur), Bundi, Kotah, Marwar (Jodhpur), Bikaner, Jaipur,
and Kishangarh.

These paintings are done with utmost care and in minute details, with strong lines and bold
colours set in harmonious patterns. The miniature artists use paper, ivory panels, wooden tablets,
leather, marble, cloth and walls for their paintings. Indian artists employed multiple perspectives
unlike their European counterparts in their paintings. The colours are made from minerals and
vegetables, precious stones, as well as pure silver and gold. The preparing and mixing of colour
is an elaborate process. It takes weeks, sometimes months, to get the desired results. The brushes
are required to be very fine, and to get high-quality results, brushes even to this very day are
made from hair of squirrels. Traditionally, the paintings are aristocratic, individualistic and
strong in portraiture, where the plush court scenes and hunting expedition of royalty are depicted.
Flowers and animals are also the recurrent images in the paintings.The Kishangarh province in
Rajasthan is known for its Bani Thani paintings. It is a totally different style with highly
exaggerated features like long necks, large, almond shaped eyes, and long fingers. This style of
painting essentially depicts Radha and Krishna as divine lovers, and beautifully portrays their
mystical love. Kishangarh miniature painting reached a peak in the eighteenth century, during
the rule of Raja Sawant Singh, who fell in love with a slave girl, Bani Thani and commanded his
artists to portray himself and her as Krishna and Radha. Other themes of Bani Thani paintings
include portraits, court scenes, dancing, hunting, music parties, nauka vihar (lovers travelling in
a boat), Krishna Lila, Bhagavata Purana and various other festivals like Holi, Diwali, Durga
puja, and Dussehra.

Today, many artists continue to make miniature paintings on silk, ivory, cotton, and paper.
However, with the passage of time, the natural colours have been replaced by poster colours. The
schools of miniature have also been commercialized, and the artists mostly replicate the work
produced by the old painters.

Example : - The painting titled ‘RADHA (BANI-THANI)’ was painted by Nihal Chand in 1780
A.D. The painting done in Water colour on paper using the Tempara Technique has been
attributed to the Kishangarh-Sub School of the Rajasthani Miniature painting. This painting is a
pride possession of the National Museum, New Delhi. In this painting the artist has portrayed a
beautiful Rajasthani Girl Radha, adorned in beautiful jewel necklaces and ornaments studded
with gold and precious gems, visible through the beautiful transparent ‘Chunari’. The sharp
features of Radha depicted through a profile images, having a pointed long nose, and deer eyes,
with arched eyebrows and graceful lips have been shown in thin and red colour. Radha is holding
two lotus buds in her left hand and in a graceful posture. Her jewels are painted in the typical
Rajasthani tradition. The ‘Chunari’ or transparent veil is intricately decorated with floral motifs
all through with bold solid borders all in golden colour. These identical floral motifs in rich gold
inlay work is also visible in the dress worn by Radha. The background also has shades of blue
adding to the contrast of the subject.

Ques 3: - Colour Scheme: Mostly bright glowing colours are used carefully. The main colours
Red, Yellow, Blue, Brown, White, without mixing any other colour are used. In some paintings
Gold and Silver colours have been used. On some places flat colour background can be seen.
The paintings were made of natural colours and no synthetic colour
was used in the making of these paintings. The colour was usually
extracted from minerals, plant body parts, valuable stones and
shavings of gold and silver. The brush used for painting was made of
hair from squirrel’s tail or plant twigs.

The famous and fine Rajasthani paintings were not limited to paper
and canvas. Their beauty made its way to the walls and ceilings of
many palaces and forts constructed in that era. These beautiful art
pieces can still be seen on the walls of City Palace in Udaipur.
However, the most significant form of Rajasthani paintings are
miniature paintings which were done on silk, paper, wood and
sometimes on marble and ivory. These paintings successfully depicts
the religious beliefs of the people of that time as well as it portrays the
insights of the social life of the people at the time of medieval period.
Therefore, reflecting the deep insights of the life of commoners and
royals.

Even today, Rajasthani paintings are loved worldwide. These

mesmerising pieces of art can be found in Indian art gallery or can be
found on many online art galleries.

These paintings successfully depicts the religious beliefs of the people

of that time as well as it portrays the insights of the social life of the
people at the time of medieval period. Therefore, reflecting the deep
insights of the life of commoners and royals.

Even today, Rajasthani paintings are loved worldwide. These

mesmerising pieces of art can be found in Indian art gallery or can be
found on many online art galleries.