INDIAN PAINTINGS Flashcards
(90 cards)
1
Q
The history of paintings can be known from primitive rock paintings of Bhimbetaka, ________&______.
A
Mirzapur and Panchmarhi.
2
Q
Kamasutra is written by?
A
Vatsyayana.
3
Q
Six main principles/limbs or shadanga of paintings as per Kamasutra?
A
- Variety of form– Rupabheda.
- Portrayal of likeliness of the subject– Sadrisyam.
- Creation of luster and gleam with the colours– Bhava.
- Mixing of colours to resemble the effects of modelling– Varnikabhanga.
- Proportion of the object or subject– Pramanam.
- Immersion of emotions– Lavanyayoganam.
4
Q
Define Lepya Chitra and Lekhya Chitra?
A
- Lepya Chitra– the representation of the myths and lore on textiles.
- Lekhya Chitra– which has line or drawings.
Other types– Dhuli Chitra, Pata Chitra, etc.
5
Q
The play, Mudrarakshasa by Vishakhadutta, mentioned the name of various paintings or patas, which are important to understand the different style of paintings and to observe all the principles of paintings. Some of the styles were?
A
- Cauka Pitaka– Isolated framed drawings.
- Dighala Pitaka– Long scrolls of paintings.
- Yama Pitaka– Isolated paintings.
6
Q
What are Petroglyphs?
A
- The pre historic paintings were generally executed on rocks and these rock engravings were called Petroglyphs.
- The first set of pre historic paintings were discovered in Bhimbetaka caves in Madhya Pradesh in 1957‐58 by V.S. Wakankar.
7
Q
Why the Bhimbetaka pre historic paintings have been called the “Zoo Rock Shelter”?
A
Because it depicts elephants, rhinoceros, cattle, snake, spotted deer, barasingha, etc.
8
Q
Enumerate major phases of pre historic paintings?
A
- Upper Paleolithic Period (40000-10000 BC)
- Mesolithic Period (10000-4000 BC)
- Chalcolithic Period.
9
Q
Features of paintings of Upper Paleolithic Period?
A
- Walls of rock shelters made of quartzite so
- Minerals used for pigments.
- Most common mineral was ochre or geru (Haematite) mixed with lime and water.
- White, dark red and green were used to depict large animals like elephant, tigers.
- For human figurines, red was used for hunters and green mostly for dancers.
10
Q
Features of paintings of Mesolithic Period?
A
- Use of red colour mainly.
- Size of paintings became smaller in comparison to Upper Paleolithic Period.
- Group hunting most common scene.
- Grazing activity and riding scenes were other activities.
11
Q
Features of paintings of Chalcolithic Period?
A
- Increase in number of paintings using the green and yellow colour.
- Depicting battle scenes (most common), men riding horses and elephants, some of them even carry bow and arrow.
- Other set of paintings from this period are at Narsinghgarh in Madhya Pradesh. - They have printings to show skins of spotted deer left for drying.
- Art of tanning skins was perfected by man.
- Depictions of musical instruments like the harp.
- Paintings from Joginara Caves in Ramgarh hills, in Surguja district of Chhattisgarh dated to be painted around 1000 BCE.
- Similar paintings can be seen in the Ghodsar and Kohabaur rock art sites in the district of Koriya.
- Another interesting site is in Chitwa Dongri (Durg district) where we find a chinese figure riding donkey, pictures of dragons and agricultural sceneries.
- Several interesting rock paintings have also been found in Limdariha in Bastar district and Oogdi, Sitalekhni in Sarguja district.
12
Q
The paintings at Bhimbetaka belong to Upper Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Chalcolithic, early historic and medieval period. However, most of the paintings belong to ______ age.
A
Mesolithic.
13
Q
Identify the mural cave painting?
- Caves were carved out in 4th century AD out of volcanic rocks.
- Carved in horse shoe shaped.
- These caves are quite popular for their exquisite mural paintings that took around four to five centuries to complete under the reign of Mauryan Empire.
A
Ajanta Cave Paintings.
14
Q
Murals in Ajanta Cave belong to which period?
A
Murals in cave 9 and 10 belong to the Shunga period, while the rest belong to the Gupta period. Cave no. 1 and 2 are the most recent of the caves in Ajanta.
15
Q
Features of Ajanta Cave Paintings?
A
- Walls of the caves have both murals and fresco paintings.
- They use tempera style, i.e. use of pigments.
- Each female figure has a unique hairstyle.
- Animals and birds are shown with emotions.
- Common themes range from Jataka stories to life of Buddha.
- Medium of painting was vegetable and mineral dyes.
- Outline of the figures is red ochre, with contours of brown, black or deep red.
16
Q
Some important paintings at Ajanta are?
A
- Some from the Jataka stories of the Buddha’s former lives as a bodhisattva, the life of the Gautama Buddha, etc.
- Paintings of various Bodhisattvas in tribhanga pose in Cave 1: Vajrapani (protector and guide, a symbol of Buddha’s power), Manjusri (manifestation of Buddha’s wisdom) and Padmapani (Avalokitesvara symbol of Buddha’s compassion).
- The Dying Princess in Cave.no 16.
- Scene of Shibi Jataka, where King Shibi offered his own flesh to save the pigeon.
- Scene of Matri-Poshaka Jataka where the ungrateful person saved by an elephant gives out his whereabouts to the king.
17
Q
Phases of paintings in Ellora Cave?
A
- The mural paintings in the Ellora caves are found in five caves, mostly limited to Kailasa temple. These murals were done in two phases.
- The first phase paintings were done during the carving of the caves, while the second phase ones were done several centuries later.
- The earlier paintings show Vishnu with his consort Lakshmi borne through the clouds by Garuda, the celestial bird.
- The later paintings, made in Gujarati style, depict procession of Shaiva holy men.
- The paintings are related to all three religoins (Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism).
Some prominent Ellora cave paintings are: - Images of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu.
- Images of Lord Shiva with his followers.
- Beautiful and gracious Apsaras.
18
Q
Features of Bagh Cave Paintings?
A
- Representing an extension to the Ajanta school, Bagh caves in Madhya Pradesh with their exquisite work rank quite close to the actual Ajanta caves in terms of their design, execution and decoration.
- The main difference is that, the figures are more tightly modeled have stronger outline, and are more earthly and human.
- Cave no. 4 known as Rang Mahal depicts Buddhist and Jataka tales.
- These paintings are more secular in nature.
19
Q
Identify the Cave Paintings?
- Situated in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu these natural caves were converted into Jain temple in 8th century.
- Unbaked mud structures are located within the cave, which acted like the place of rest for Jain saints.
- The beautiful colourful paintings on the walls and roof depict the tales of Astathik Palakas (deities protecting eight corners) and Jainism.
A
Armamalai Cave Paintings.
20
Q
Term Astathik Palakas meaning?
A
Astathik Palakas (deities protecting eight corners).
21
Q
Features of Sittanavasal Cave (Arivar Koil) Paintings?
A
- Rock cut caves in Pudukkottai town in Tamil Nadu.
- Known for paintings in Jain temples.
- Close resemblance to Bagh and Ajanta paintings.
- Paintings are not only on the walls but also on the ceiling and pillars.
- Theme of Jain Samavasarana (Preaching hall).
- Pond with lotuses is the central element of these paintings. Flowers in this pond are collected by monks, there are shown ducks, swans, fishes and animals. This scene shows Samava-sarana- important scene in Jain religion.
- Medium used for painting is vegetable and mineral dyes, and is done by putting colours on surface of thin wet lime plaster.
22
Q
What is Samava Sarana?
A
Samava Sarana is special, beautiful audience hall where Tirthankaras delivered sermons after they reached realisation (kevala-gnana).
23
Q
Sittanavasal Caves belongs to which period?
A
- Some say they belong to the Pallava period, when king Mahendravarman 1 excavated the temple.
- Some say Pandya ruler renovated the shrine in the 7th century.
24
Q
Identify the cave paintings?
- Located in the Keonjhar district of Odisha these ancient fresco paintings on a rock shelter are in a shape of half-opened umbrella.
- It is believed that this shelter acted like the royal hunting lodge.
- The most noticeable painting is that of a royal procession that dates back to 7th century.
- The remains of Chola period paintings, belonging to 11th century, are also of importance.
A
Ravan Chhaya Rock shelter.
25
Lepakshi paintings features?
1. In Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, these mural paintings were executed on Veerabhhadra temple walls at Lepakshi in 16th century.
2. Made during the Vijayanagara period, they followed a religious theme based on Ramayana, Mahabharata and incarnations of Vishnu.
3. Paintings show a conplete absence of primary colours, especially blue.
4. They depict a decline in painting in terms of quality.
5. The forms, figures and details of their costumes are outlined with black colour.
26
Jogimara Cave paintings are located in?
Surguja district of Chhattisgarh.
Rock cut theatre of Sitabenga is also located nearby.
27
Features of Murals at Badami Cave Temples, Karnataka?
- They are one of the earliest surviving Hindu paintings.
- Resemble the tradition of Ajanta and Bagh.
- Human subjects have big, half closed eyes with protruding lips.
28
What are miniature paintings?
The word 'miniature' is derived from the Latin word 'Minium', which means red lead paint. This paint was used in the illuminated manuscripts during the Renaissance period.
Miniatures are small and detailed paintings.
29
Preconditions that are necessary to be fulfilled for making miniature paintings?
1. The Painting should not be larger than 25 square inch.
2. The subject of the painting should be painted in not more than 1/6th of the actual size. Example, an adult head of 9 inches would not be painted larger than 1.5 inches.
30
Schools under Early Miniature paintings?
The art of miniature painting developed between 8th and 12th centuries.
Two prominent schools are:–
1. Pala School of Art.
2. Apabhramsa School of Art.
31
Features of Pala School of Art (miniature paintings)?
1. Flourished during 750-1150 AD.
2. These paintings are generally found as a part of Buddhist manuscripts and were generally executed on palm leaf or vellum paper.
3. Characterized by sinuous lines and subdued tones of the background imagery.
4. They are lonely single figures and one rarely finds group paintings.
5. Patronized by some of those who promoted Buddhism.
6. The proponents of the Vajrayana school of Buddhism also used and patronized these paintings.
The prominent painters were Dhimman and Vitapala.
32
Features of Apabhramsa School of Art?
1. Origin– Gujarat and Mewar region in Rajasthan.
2. Most common themes of these paintings were Jain and in the later period the Vaishnava School appropriated them too.
3. They brought in the concept of Gita Govinda and secular love into these paintings that were otherwise dominated by Jain iconography.
4. In the early Jain phase, the paintings were made on Palm leaf but in the later period they were made on paper.
5. They did not develop a different style but were mural paintings in a reduced dimension.
6. Features of human figures:– fish shaped bulging eyes, a pointed nose and a double chin.
7. They tried to begin the trend to make angular faces in the third and fourth people.
8. Female figurines have enlarged hips and breasts.
9. The animal and bird figurines are represented as toys.
Example:– Kalpasutra and the Kalakacharya Katha from 15th century.
33
Features of Miniature Art during Delhi Sultanate?
1. Tried to bring together the persian elements of their origins with the Indian traditional elements.
2. They gave preference to illustrated manuscripts. Example Nimatnama (a book on cookery).
3. Another style Lodi Khuladar was prevalent which became the basis of the sultanate formulae.
4. Later three major styles emerged that dominated the medieval landscape– Mughal, Rajput and Deccan.
34
What is 'Nimatnama'?
Nimatnama is a book on cookery from the reign of Nasir Shah who ruled over Mandu.
35
Features of Mughal Era Miniature paintings?
1. The focus shifted from depicting the god to glorifying the ruler and showing his life.
2. Focused on hunting scenes, historical events and the court related paintings.
3. Use of brilliant colours.
4. Painters were supposed to concentrate on ensuring the accuracy of line drawing.
5. They made only miniature paintings.
6. They brought the technique of foreshortening– objects were drawn in a way that they look closer and smaller than they really are.
36
Features of Paintings under Babur?
He did not have much time to commission paintings, but he is said to have patronised the Persian artist called Bihzad.
37
Features of Paintings under Humayun?
Humayun lost the throne to Sher Shah Suri and was exiled to Persia where at Shah Abbas's court, he acquired the services of the two main painters called Abdus Samad and Mir Sayyid Ali who came back with him after he won the throne back.
38
Who painted Tutinama?
During Akbar's reign, Abdus Samad and Mir Sayyid Ali created an illustrated manuscript called Tutinama (Tale of a parrot).
39
Features of Paintings under Akbar?
1. He established a formal artistic studio called Tasvir Khana where the artists were hired on salary and they developed their own styles.
2. He regularly gave awards to those painters who created lifelike images.
3. Indian influence started in Mughal paintings.
4. Use of 3 dimensional figures and the continued use of foreshortening is the defining feature of paintings in Akbar's period.
5. Use of calligraphy was encouraged.
6. Transformation of popular art to the court art, i.e. the artist was more focused at depicting the scenes of court life.
Prominent illustrated manuscripts:– Tutinama, Hamzanama, Anvar-i-Suhaili and Gulistan of Sadi.
Famous painters:– Daswant, Basawan and Kesu.
40
Prominent illustrated manuscripts from Akbar's period?
- Tutinama
- Hamzanama
- Anvar-i-Suhaili
- Gulistan of Sadi.
41
Famous painters from Akbar's period?
- Daswant
- Basawan
- Kesu.
42
Features of Paintings under Jahangir?
1. Mughal paintings reached its zenith during his period.
2. He was a naturalist by nature and preferred the paintings of flora and fauna, i.e. birds, animals, trees and flowers example:– paintings of Zebra, turkey and the cock.
3. He emphasized on bringing naturalism to portrait painting.
4. One of the unique trends that developed in this period was of decorated margins around the paintings.
5. Jahangir had his own private workshop.
6. Ustad Mansoor artist from this period.
7. An animal fable called Ayar-i-Danish (Touchstone of knowledge) was illustrated during his reign.
43
An animal fable called Ayar-i-Danish (Touchstone of knowledge) was illustrated during the reign of?
Jahangir.
44
Features of paintings under Shah Jahan?
1. Shah Jahan created artificial elements in the paintings.
2. He tried to reduce the liveliness as he was inspired by the European influence.
3. He eschewed the use of charcoal to draw.
4. He encouraged the artists to draw and sketch using a pencil.
5. He also ordered to increase the use of gold and silver in the paintings.
45
Features of paintings under Aurangzeb?
He did not encourage paintings and there was a sharp decline in the activities of paintings.
46
Enumerate the sub genres under Rajasthani Schools of Painting?
1. Mewar school of painting.
2. Kishangarh school of painting.
3. Bundi school of painting.
4. Amber Jaipur school of painting.
5. Marwar school of painting.
47
Features of Mewar school of painting?
1. Early phase– dominated by extraordinary figure of Sahibidin.
- This period of Mewari paintings focuses on Sahibdin's depiction of literary texts- the Rasikapriya, the Ramayana and the Bhagavata Purana.
2. Late phase– after Sahibdin's death, the style of Mewari paintings changed.
- Most of the paintings depicted the life at court art in Mewar.
- The unique point of this period is the extraordinary 'tamasha' paintings that show court ceremonial and city views in unprecedented detail.
48
Features of Kishangarh School of Painting?
1. These are associated with romantic legends Sawant Singh and his beloved Bani Thani.
2. Interplay between Sawant Singh the prince and lover, Nagari Das the poet, and Nihal Chand the painter created some of the most legendary paintings by this school.
3. Women in Bani Thani is said to resemble the character of the Radha.
4. She has a distinctive profile and has large and lustrous eyes, thin lips and a pointed chin.
5. Her odhni or headgear defines her side profile.
6. Paintings of Radha Krishna has also been made.
49
Features of Bundi School of Painting?
1. Paintings of local vegetation were in detail.
2. Human faces were round with pointed nose in the paintings.
3. Colour of sky is painted in different colours and mostly a red ribbon is visible in the sky.
50
The twin kingdoms of Bundi and Kota are collectively known as?
Hadoti.
51
Features of Amber Jaipur school of painting?
1. The Amber school is also called the 'Dhundar' school.
2. Menfolk are shown wearing mughal style clothing and headgear, the overall finish of the painting is folk styled.
3. This school reached its zenith in the period of Sawai Pratap Singh in the 18th century.
4. His suratkhana or department of painting made miniature to illustrate Bhagavad Purana, Ramayana, Ragamala and several portraits.
52
Features of Marwar school of painting?
1. It is one of the most extensive schools of painting as it include Jodhpur and Bikaner, both ruled by the Rathods and Jaislalmer that was ruled by the Bhatis.
2. In the paintings produced in the 15th century, the men wore colourful clothing and so did the women.
3. In this period they followed the Mughal patterns but after the 18th century, the Rajput element became predominant, for example, there was an influx of paintings that contained linear rhythm couple with bright colours.
4. Man Singh (1803-1843) commissioned extensive series of paintings including the Shiva Purana, Natacharitra, Durgacharitra, Panchtantra, etc.
53
Difference between the Rajput style and Mughal style of painting?
1. Type:–
- R– Initially based on mural and fresco forms. In the later period, the miniature paintings became dominant.
- M– It is based on the Persian miniature painting style.
2. Themes:–
- R– It is usually devotional or religious in nature.
- M– It usually depicts the Mughal emperor and his household. The royal pomp and show, the battles and the hunting scenes are also very popular.
3. Peculiarity:–
- R– It uses Hindu symbols like the lotus, peacock and swan very frequently.
- M– They focus either on the person in the picture or on tress, camels and falcons.
4. Time period:–
- R– 17-18th century was the major peirod.
- M– 16th to 18th century.
54
Pahari style of painting is divided into?
1. Jammu or Dogra School: Northern Series.
2. Basholi and Kangra School: Southern Series.
55
Two of the greatest painters of the Pahari Styles of Painting?
Nainsukh and Manaku.
56
Features of Basholi School of Painting?
1. The paintings created in the Pahari School in the 17th century were called the Basholi School.
2. Expressive faces with a receding hairline and big eyes that are shaped like lotus petals characterise it.
3. Use of primary colours:– red, yellow and green.
4. They used the Mughal technique of painting on clothing but developed their own styles and techniques.
5. Contrast of colours associated with this school are borrowed from the Malwa paintings.
Example:– Raja Kirpal Singh ordered the illustration of Bhanudatta's Rasamanjari, Gita Govinda and the Ramayana drawings.
Devi Das famous for his depiction of Radha Krishna.
57
The first patron of the Basholi School of painting was?
Raja Kirpal Singh who ordered the illustration of Bhanudatta's Rasamanjari, Gita Govinda and the Ramayana drawings.
58
The most famous painter of Basholi School of Painting was?
Devi Das who was famous for his depiction of Radha Krishna.
59
Features of Kangra School of painting?
1. Got patronage by Raja Govardhan Singh in 1774.
2. It led to the birth of Guler Kangra Schools of paintings.
3. It first evolved in Guler then came to Kangra.
4. This school reached its zenith under the patronage of Raja Sansar Chand. His paintings were marked with a sensuality and intelligence that the others schools lack.
5. Another very famous group of paintings is the "Twelve months" where the artist tried to bring forth the effect of the twelve months on the emotions of human beings.
6. The popular subjects were the Gita Govinda, Bhagvata Purana, Satsai of Biharilal and Nal Damyanti. Love stories of krishna was very prominent theme.
60
What are Ragamala Paintings?
- They are a series of illustrative paintings from medieval India based on Ragmala or the 'Garland of Ragas', depicting various Indian musical Ragas.
- They stand as a classical example of the amalgamation of art, poetry and classical music in medieval India.
- Each raga is personified by a colour, it also elucidates the season and the time of the day and night in which particular raga is to be sung.
61
Six principal ragas of Ragamala paintings?
1. Bhairava
2. Deepak
3. Sri
4. Malkaush
5. Megha
6. Hindola.
62
Features of Miniatures in South India?
1. Heavy use of gold.
2. They concentrated on painting divine creatures much more than painting the rulers who patronized them.
3. Some of the major schools are Tanjore and Mysore.
63
Features of Tanjore Paintings?
1. Developed during the Chola empire. Maratha rulers patronized them during the 18th century.
2. Mostly created on glass and board of cloth and vellum.
3. They are unique because of the use of brilliant colour patterns and the liberal use of gold leaf.
4. A canonical crown appearing in the miniature is a typical feature.
5. They used many types of gem stones and glasses.
64
Tanjore paintings reached their zenith under the patronage of?
Sarfoji Maharaj.
65
Features of Mysore paintings?
1. Depiction of Hindu gods and goddesses is the major theme.
2. The unique part of this paintings is that they had two or more figures in each painting and one figure predominates all other in size and colour.
3. They use the 'gesso paste', which is a mixture of zinc oxide and Arabic gum.
4. This gives a particular base to the painting that develops sheen on the background. They counter it with the use of muted colours that are not so bright so as to counteract the background.
66
Features of the Company paintings?
1. Hybrid style of painting emerged that combined the elements of Rajput, Mughal and other Indian styles of painting with European elements.
2. These paintings evolved when the British Company officers employed painters who had been trained in Indian styles. Hence, they mixed their employers European tastes with their Indian training. This was called the 'Company paintings'.
3. They were distinguished by the use of colour and in technique by the appearance of linear perspective and shading.
4. This style of painting originated in Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Patna, Varanasi and Thanjavur.
5. Lord Impey and Marquess Wellesley patronised the painters.
6. The most famous of this school was Sewak Ram, Ishwari Prasad and Ghulam Ali Khan.
67
The most famous painter from Company school of paintings?
1. Sewak Ram
2. Ishwari Prasad
3. Ghulam Ali Khan.
68
Features of Bazaar paintings?
1. Influenced by the European encounter in India.
2. The Bazaar school did not take any Indian influence but took the Roman and Greek influence.
3. This school was prevalent in Bengal and Bihar region.
4. Depicting Indian courtesans dancing before the British officials was one of the most famous genres.
5. They also painted religious themes but the figures of Indian Gods and Goddesses with more than two axes and elephant faces like that of Lord Ganesha were prohibited.
69
Raja Ravi Verma contribution to paintings?
1. He is considered to be the originator of the school of modern painting.
2. He brought together elements of South Indian painting with the western techniques of colour and style.
3. He belonged to the state of Kerela and was dubbed as the 'Raphael of the East' because of his brilliant brush strokes and almost lifelike paintings.
4. Some famous works include:–
- Lady in the moonlight
- Mother India
- Ravana kidnapping Sita.
70
Who is dubbed as the Raphael of the East?
Raja Ravi Verma because of his brilliant brush strokes and almost lifelike paintings.
71
Painters under Bengal school of art?
This school is unique as they use simple colours.
1. Abanindranath Tagore- His Arabian night series made a mark on a global scale.
- He tried to incorporate Swadeshi values in India art. He is known for his painting Bharat Mata.
2. Nandlal Bose– He was also associated with Shantiniketan. He is known for his white on black Gandhi sketch.
- He is also entrusted with the task of illuminating the original document of the constitution of India.
3. Rabindranath Tagore– His paintings are unique as they used dominant black lines that made the subject look very prominent. He made small sized paintings.
4. Other famous painters– Asit Kumar, Kumar Haldar, Manishi Dey, Mukul Dey, Hemen Majumdar Sunayani Devi etc.
72
Features of Cubist style of Paintings?
1. The objects are broken, analysed and then reassembled.
2. Use of abstract art forms.
3. Artists tried to achieve the perfect balance between line and colour.
4. One of the most popular cubist artists in India was M.F Hussain, who made a series of paintings called the 'Personification of Romance'.
- In the paintings that used abstract connotations, he used the motif of a horse frequently as it was best to depict the fluidity of motion.
73
Progressive Artists Group?
1. Emerged in 1947.
2. Use of progressive and bold themes.
3. They lacked any uniformity among themselves but were inspired by European Modernisation.
4. The founder of this group was Francis Newton Souza.
5. More famous members were S.H. Raza, H.A. Gade, Ara etc. M.F. Hussain was also a member of the Progressive Artist Group.
6. They organised the first art exhibition in 1948 and were patronised by Mulk Raj Anand.
74
Features of Madhubani Paintings?
1. Traditionally done by the women of villages around Madhubani town (Bihar), it is also called Mithila paintings. The art extends to the adjoining parts of Terai region in Nepal.
2. Common themes are religious motifs of Hindus, including Krishna, Rama, Durga, Lakshmi and Shiva.
3. The figures in the painting are symbolic, for example, fish depicts good luck and fertility.
4. Paintings are also made on depicting auspicious occasions like birth, marriage and festivals.
5. Flowers, trees, animals, etc. are used to fill any gaps in the painting.
6. Traditionally, these were painted on walls using rice paste and vegetable colours on a base of cow dung and mud.
7. Since there is no shading, the paintings are two dimensional.
8. Double line borders, bold use of colours, ornate floral patters and exaggerated facial features.
75
Origin of Madhubani paintings?
Believed to be during the period of Ramayana, when the king of Mithila told people of his kingdom to paint walls and floors of their houses on the marriage of Sita and Rama.
76
Recognition of Madhubani paintings?
- Mostly women have passed on the skill of Madhubani painting from generations and generations.
- In 1970, this art got recognition, when the President of India honoured Jagdamba Devi of Jitbarpur village with an award.
- Also has GI (geographic indication) status.
77
Features of Pattachitra?
1. A traditional painting from Odisha, word patta, which means canvas/cloth and chitra means picture.
2. The, paintings show a mix of classical and folk elements with a bias towards the latter.
3. The base of the painting is treated cloth while the colours used comes from natural sources including burnt coconut shells, Hingula, Ramaraja and lamp black.
4. No pencil or charcoal is used rather brush is used to draw the outlines in red or yellow after which the colours are filled.
5. The background is decorated with foliage and flowers and the paintings have a intricately worked frame.
6. Once the final lines are drawn, the painting is given a coating of lacquer to give it a glossy finish.
7. The themes of these paintings are inspired from Jagannath and Vaishnava cult, sometimes from Shakti and Shaiva cults. Raghurajpur in Odisha is known for this art.
8. Pattachitra on palm leaf is known as talapattachitra.
9. A number of superimposing layers are glued together and some areas are left so that there are small window like openings that reveal second images under the first layer of the leaf.
78
Features of Patua Art?
1. This art from Bengal, started out as a village tradition by painters telling Mangal Kavyas or auspicious stories of Gods and Goddesses.
2. Traditionally they are painted with poster paints on sheets of paper sown together, usually used to comment on political and social issues. These patuas mostly come from Midnapur district.
79
Features of Kalighat paintings?
1. This art form from Calcutta was done by rural migrants.
2. Watercolours were used on mill paper using brushes made of calf and squirrel hairs.
3. Painted figures has a plaque like effect on neutral background.
4. Originally the paintings depicted religious note, especially Hindu God and Goddesses.
5. Over the time these were used to express social sentiments.
6. Considered first of its kind in the country to express subaltern sentiments and address customers directly.
80
Features of Paitkar paintings?
1. Practiced by tribals of Jharkhand.
2. Paitkar or scrolls.
3. Has cultural association with Ma Mansa, one of the most popular goddesses in tribal household.
4. Linked to the social and religious customs.
5. Common theme of Paitkar paintings is 'What happens to human life post death'.
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Features of Kalamkari paintings?
1. Main centres for this art are Srikalahasti and Machilipatnam in the stage of Andhra Pradesh.
2. Pen used is made of sharp pointed bamboo, used to regulate the flow of colours.
3. The base is cotton fabric, colours are vegetable dyes.
4. The pen is soaked in a mixture of fermented jaggery and water; one by one these are applied and then the vegetable dyes.
5. Images are drawn free hand and the inspiration comes from Hindu mythology.
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Features of Warli paintings?
1. Warlis are indigenous people from Gujarat and Maharashtra border.
2. These ritualistic paintings have a central motif of a chaukat or chauk.
3. Palaghata (goddess of fertility) is drawn and among the male gods, those spirits that have taken human form are represented.
4. Done on walls using triangle, circle or square.
5. Base is made of a mixture of mud, branches and cow dung that gives it red ochre colour.
6. For painting only white pigment is used, which is made of a mixture of gum and rice powder.
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Features of Thangka Paintings?
1. States of Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh region and Arunachal Pradesh.
2. Thangka were originally used as a medium of reverence that evoked the highest ideals of Buddhism.
3. Earnings from the paintings are used not only to keep the art form alive and sustain the artist but also to help the monasteries.
4. Painted on the base of cotton canvas (white background) with paints made from natural vegetable dyes or mineral dyes.
5. The colours used in the paintings have their own significance.
6. Often framed in silk brocade.
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Division of Thangka paintings?
1. First kind shows the life of Buddha from his birth to his enlightenment.
2. Second kind is more abstract; it represents Buddhist beliefs of life and death including 'Wheel of Life'.
3. Third kind represents paintings that are used for offerings to the deities or meditation.
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Features of Manjusha paintings?
1. Belongs to Bhagalpur region of Bihar.
2. Also known as Angika art.
3. Ang refers to one of the Mahajan Pada.
4. Snake motifs are always present, it is also called snake painting.
5. These paintings are executed on boxes of jute and paper.
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Features of Phad paintings?
1. Rajasthan and is a scroll type art.
2. Religious in nature and comprises of drawings of local deities, Pabuji and Devnarayan.
3. On a long piece of cloth called phad.
4. Subject have large eyes and round faces.
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Features of Cheriyal Scroll paintings?
1. Indigenous to Telangana state.
2. It is a type of Nakashi art.
3. Scrolls are depicted as a continuous story like comics or ballad by the Balladeer community.
4. The common themes are Hindu Epics and Puranic stories.
5. Geographical Indication status in 2007.
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Features of Pithora paintings?
1. Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
2. Painted in the walls of the houses to bring peace and prosperity.
3. Depiction of animals are common especially horses.
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Features of Saura paintings?
1. Made by Saura tribe of Odisha.
2. Similar to Warli paintings.
3. Mural wall paintings.
4. The Saura wall paintings are called ikons or italons and are dedicated to Idital, the main deity of Sauras.
5. Human shapes are geometrical and stick like.
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What are italons or ikons?
The Saura wall paintings are called ikons or italons and are dedicated to Idital, the main deity of Sauras.
