Miniature Paintings of Mughal and Rajput Times - Colorful Pictures on Ivory and Handmade Paper
Rajasthan’s role in the development of Indian art has been very important. The decoration of dwellings and other household objects was but one aspect of the creative genius of the Rajasthani.
The world of miniature paintings is perhaps the most fascinating and the distinctive styles that have existed here in the state of Rajasthan. From the 16th century onwards, various schools of paintings flourished in Rajasthan. Some of the important ones are Mewar School, Kishangarh schools, Kota Kalam Bikaner and Hadoti.
Rajput Miniature Paintings on Handmade Paper from Rajasthan
Miniature Paintings in Rajasthan
These paintings vividly render hills, valleys, gardens, palaces, courts and religious processions. Themes from the Ramayana, Krishna Lila and the Gita Govindam have also been pictorially translated.
The colours used for the paintings were made of minerals, vegetables, precious stones, conch shells and metals like gold and silver. And it took as long as several months to prepare the colours.
Some Historical Facts about Miniature Paintings
In the 16th centuty, Many artists from Rajasthan were employed by Mughals for the purpose of making miniature paintings. But the real expansion of miniature painting to the regional kingdoms of Rajasthan was predominantly after the Mughals’ downfall.
Rajput miniatures, that flourished under the princely patronage, are being reproduced even in the present times by the successors of the erstwhile craftsmen.
The classical element and aura of these paintings incessantly continue even though several innovations have taken place since then. Those families who are engaged in making miniature paintings have survived in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Nathdwara and Kishangarh and continue to paint fine works of art on hand-made paper.
Jaipur Artists Embellished with their Unique Skills
Mughal Paintings of Ancient Times in Rajasthan, India
In the back streets of the Pink City, you’ll find Brahmin artists working on a variety of materials from handmade paper and boards of wood to ivory and marble. Most of them still use natural colours Using the finest squirrel hairbrushes, it takes a miniaturist weeks to complete a commission.
With the lack of originality, most of the present artisans merely replicate the work of their forefathers who were know for their breathtakingly precise and detailed workmanship. Also in recent times, some of the sales oriented artists have now switched to cheaper chemical colours to satisfy the demand of tourists.
Miniature paintings were once made on a base of ivory but that’s all in the past. The use of ivory has been banned now in the interests of our wildlife.
