an introduction to indian traditional paintings

An Introduction to Indian Traditional Paintings

Introduction

Since time immemorial, India is known asthe land of art and culture. The birth ofpaintings took place thousands of yearsago and archaeologists have foundevidences of the most ancient artwork tobe ever created from the soils of thiscountry only. Indian artworks are anindispensable part of the world’s artcollection and they have made significantcontributions towards the subject.

History

The first evidences of ancient Indian artdates back to 8,000 years ago and theywere found in forms of rock paintings.Bhimbetka caves are the perfect exampleof murals and paintings which were a partof the pre-historic era. However, it was theIndus Valley Civilisation which markedthe beginning of Indian traditionalpaintings and in this era finer paintingtools were devised.

Most Famous Themes of Indian Traditional Paintings

In the time span of 8,000 years, variouskinds of painting styles and themeshave evolved. However, there arecertain mesmerizing Indian traditionalpaintings which have left a deep markon the heritage of the country. Thesestyles are a vital part of the country’sculture and they have faced the blow oftime.

Madhubani Paintings

Originated from the state of Mithila(present day Bihar), it is undeniably oneof the most widespread forms of Indianfolk arts. Known for its intricategeometric patterns, Madhubani paintingsare famous for displaying festivals andother occasions.

Mughal Paintings

Introduced by the great emperor Akbar,this painting theme is the love child ofIndian and Muslim painting styles. Thesubjects which are a part of Mughalpaintings are very diverse and include thescenes of war, hunts and life of Mughalemperors.

Patachitra

Painted on a cloth-based scroll, thepaintings created in this style areused to depict the sagas of Godsand Goddesses. The new age artistshave given their own little touchand have started including divineLord Shiva paintings and narratinghis great stories by means of thisancient art.

Phad Paintings

Originating from the colourfulstate of Rajasthan, this Indiantraditional painting style is areligious form of scroll artworks. Avery long canvas is painted andvegetable colours are used to drawthe narrations of great lives of thedeities.

Miniature Paintings

Known for their small size, theseintricately designed Indian traditionalpaintings originated in the Mughalera. Later this style was adopted byRajputs and it depicts religious epics.

Warli Paintings

It originates from theWestern Ghat ofIndia and is considered as one of theoldest forms of Indian paintings.Circles, triangles and squares are themost used shapes which are utilisedto display daily life activities.

Conclusion

There are numerous styles which emerged in this time frame, but these 6forms have survived through the generations. They are still very much apart of the cultural heritage of the country and artists are still devotingtheir time in these genres. Even the art enthusiasts from all around theworld adore the beauty and intricacies of these art styles. Undoubtedly,these painting styles have contributed significantly towards the art legacyof India.

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