Miniature Painting

The craze of miniature painting is very popular these days.  If you are ardent fan of same, then have a look at the miniature paintings from indian mythology. The artist would paint the entire scene in its full grandeur whether it us from aerial view of the city from the fort wall or scenes from mythology. The artist would paint the entire scene in amazing detail and finesse on small canvas fir king to keep as memory of the event. These are exquisite miniature Rajasthan paintings from 16^th century.  This art was brought by mutual rulers as these were essentially means for documenting history for future generations.

Usage –

The miniature paintings are traditionally used to potray the images of Ramayana and Mahabharta. They are initially were illustrations of manuscripts. These paintings appear on temples, Rajput palaces and havellis. The contemporary usage comprises of interior decorations and souvenirs.

Significance –

Miniature artists would decorate streets with grand processions of Rajput kings. The kings and queens would ride beautifully decorated elephants, ministers ride horses and royal entourage consists of camels, dancers and musicians as they travelled with great fun. Thru would sketch the entire event with intricately miniature paintings. Details of events would be documented on paper or ivory. Artists are skilled in this art and they could even match the other exact facial feature. Preparation of colors are another effort requiring patience and perseverance. Colours used are derived from nature and many days of toil would result in minuscule amount of rich and inquisitive colour.

The themes comprise of broader contexts than mutual miniatures. The paintings encompass the events of imperial court. Rajput paintings differ according to insight of real-life as well as the common man. Music was characteristic in paintings. They are different raagas like bhairava, malava and hindola etc and these are related to different seasons and depicted different moods. Artists drew entire scenarios with amazing detail and   finesse on small canvasses for king to keep memory of the event.

Design –

Works of Mewar are identified by simple bright colors and have emotional appeal. Artistic heritage has been derived from Medpat which is known as land of guhil rulers. The paintings use the colors like saffron, yellow and crimson. Background is stylized architecture which consists of domed pavilions and given a semi natural look and foreground are decorated with flowers and birds.

Challenges –

• Paintings lost their charm and started to decline in 18^th century.
• Alternate cheap medium to depict scenes of dance, party and sensors palace life.
• With advent of photography, they are sought as souvenirs or to adorn the walls of houses and hotels etc.