Early Painting Traditions in India

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Important schools of manuscript illumination flourished in the Buddhist monasteries of eastern India and in the Jain temples of western India. This is all near to ninth century. The subjects were religious and scriptural. In, those times, Paintings were inscribed on palm leaves until the introduction of paper in the fourteenth century. The oldest known Hindu texts date from the second half of the fifteenth century and relate to the Jain manuscript tradition. Hindu myths and epics were the subjects of these early works, produced in north India. By the early sixteenth century, a new style had arisen that illustrated secular as well as religious themes.

In the courts of the pre-Mughal Muslim sultanates, both the styles and the themes of painting began to combine the traditions of Persian painting and an indigenous sensibility.

Rajasthan’s culture and Paintings

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Whatever is being said for the cultural heritage and the Phad Painting of Rajasthan, is less in every way. Painting has always been an integral part of Rajasthani culture- a way of life. From humble village huts to the opulent palaces of the Maharajas, from the make-shift homes of wandering minstrels to monumental temples of hoary antiquity, paintings are to be found everwhere in many colors and forms. Specially the Phad paintings of Rajasthan. The Rajasthani painter expressed his creative impulse in embellishing the facades, walls and ceilings of havelis and palaces, backdrops of deities in temples, manuscripts of romance and poetry, religion and history, music and mythology.

Rajasthan has many schools of painting having their own distinct styles, well known among them being Marwar, Mewar, Hadoti, Kishangarh, Dhundhar and Alwar. The miniature paintings of Rajasthan which flourished under princely patronage are still reproduced by the descendants of the original craftsmen, retaining their classic elegance. Mythological themes from Hindu epics are commonly used. Hills, valleys, gardens, palaces, court scenes and religious processions are vividly rendered.

Folk paintings such as Phad (scrolls with tales of Pabuji) and Pichwai (cloth paintings hung as backdrop of deities in temples) are popular with tourists.

Folk Painting

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The somewhat lesser-known traditions of Indian painting are the so-called “folk” paintings dating back to a period that may be referred to as “timeless". These are living traditions, intrinsically linked with the regional historic-cultural settings from which they arise

Rajasthan’s culture and Paintings

Click here to view our Phad Painting Gallery

Whatever is being said for the cultural heritage and the Phad Painting of Rajasthan, is less in every way. Painting has always been an integral part of Rajasthani culture- a way of life. From humble village huts to the opulent palaces of the Maharajas, from the make-shift homes of wandering minstrels to monumental temples of hoary antiquity, paintings are to be found everwhere in many colors and forms. Specially the Phad paintings of Rajasthan. The Rajasthani painter expressed his creative impulse in embellishing the facades, walls and ceilings of havelis and palaces, backdrops of deities in temples, manuscripts of romance and poetry, religion and history, music and mythology.

Rajasthan has many schools of painting having their own distinct styles, well known among them being Marwar, Mewar, Hadoti, Kishangarh, Dhundhar and Alwar. The miniature paintings of Rajasthan which flourished under princely patronage are still reproduced by the descendants of the original craftsmen, retaining their classic elegance. Mythological themes from Hindu epics are commonly used. Hills, valleys, gardens, palaces, court scenes and religious processions are vividly rendered.

Folk paintings such as Phad (scrolls with tales of Pabuji) and Pichwai (cloth paintings hung as backdrop of deities in temples) are popular with tourists.

Paintings In India

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There are two distinct strands of painting in India. One is rooted in religious traditions and nurtured by the patronage of the rich and royal, and done mostly by men. The other is rooted in everyday life and folk tradition, and done mostly by women.

To the former belong the Buddhist frescoes on the walls of the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra, the miniature paintings of the Mughal court, and the different school of Rajasthani painting. The style of Ajanta paintings is truly indigenous and was revived in the early 20th century by Nandalal Bose in Santiniketan, West Bengal.

Although Persian-inspired, Mughal and Rajasthani miniatures too are part and parcel of Indian painting of the former genre. Of the latter genre, the most famous are the Madhubani and Mithila paintings of Bihar, the Worli paintings of Maharashtra, the Mandana paintings of Rajasthan, which are basically wall and floor paintings.

Painting done not for art’s sake but as a daily religious ritual include geometric and floral patterns on the floor by the womenfolk called kolam in the south of India, rangoli in Maharashtra, alpona in Bengal, aripana in Bihar and so on. Painting on cloth is exemplified by Kalamkari work of Kalahasti and Masulipatnamin Andhra Pradesh, and phad painting of Rajasthan. Quite unique is Tanjavur paintings embellished with gold leaf and semi-precious stones, which were originally commissioned by Maratha kings of the 18th century.

Traditional Painting

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Tanjavur or modern Tanjore is famous for a special style of decorating the paintings which were done both on glass & board. In both types, the figures & the background are richly embellished with gold leaf & gems as ornaments. The relief work on board is achieved by applying gesso, a mixture of gypsum or plaster of Paris & glue. Krishna in various poses has been the main theme, but there are also various paintings in temples , of all the other Gods & Saints.

Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Gujarat, Mandu, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jammu, Kulu, Kangra Rajasthani, Rajput, Buddhist dieties, Jaina forms, tales of Sri Rama, Krishna(the everlasting lover with his cohourts), court & royal scenes were the subject matter of the miniature paintings from the various regions. These paintings were replete with motifs of flora & fauna in bold and striking colours, dresses of ladies in various patterns, wonderfully coloured turbans of men. Vegetable dyes and derivatives from nature were used in all the forms of miniature paintings.

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Indian paintings can be referred to as the mirror of India’s fascinating history from the ancient times. Bringing about a reflection of religious beliefs, political events and social customs, Indian paintings offer a beautiful record of centuries and provide an aesthetic continuum that extends from the early civilization to the present day.

Wall Paintings:
The earliest examples of India’s long tradition of painting are the wall paintings that attained excellence in the caves of Ajanta, Bagh and Badami, during the period between 200 BC to 700 CE. The themes of these wall-paintings range from Buddhist legends to decorative patterns and showcase permanent human values and principles.

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Indian paintings traditions go back to antiquity, as is evident from the murals of Ajanta, Ellora and other frescoes, the Buddhist palm leaf manuscripts, the Jain texts and the Deccan, Mughal and Kangra schools of miniature Indian painting.

Indian Painting is an old tradition, with ancient texts outlining theories of color and and anecdotal accounts suggesting that it was common for households to paint their doorways or indoor rooms where guests resided. Cave paintings from Ajanta, Bagh and Sittanvasal and temple paintings testify to a love of naturalism.
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These decorative paintings from India have a very strong religious tradition. They have a symmetrical composition as they are meant to be placed in house-shrines for meditation. Phad paintings are required to show a large number of objects in one scroll. The artists do this very skillfully by highlighting the basic motive of the painting and still showing all the ritualistic objects in krishnalilas and number of soldiers in a battlefield. The use of monochrome areas in the background helps make a oil painting simple if necessary. Well organized, with bright colors bold outlines make this decorative Phad Paintings more appealing and attractive. The paintings have red and yellow colors in prominence, predominately red and green scrolls being the popular ones. Phad paintings are now available in smaller panels, rather than a scroll, portraying single incidents or characters from the epics, which have made them more popular in the market.

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A traditional phad is approximately thirty feet long and five feet wide and the material used is local khadi or canvas and is made from special oil colors. Primarily only vegetable colors were used, which remained fast and fresh for a long duration. Scarcity of these colors, however, would have ultimately led to a virtual stagnation of the craft, so the artists were compelled to make innovations. Thus the usage of water-proof earthen colors evolved. These colors are made by pounding the natural earthen colors with gum, water and indigo.

The painting commences with great flourish on the appointed auspicious day, when the Bhopas arrive. The ritual offering of a coconut is made to the Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of Learning). A free hand sketch is then made on the canvas, where various postures of human and animal figures are perfected. Floral trees adorn the piece filling up the empty spaces. The figures are the painted in a light yellow color initially, known as kacha. The first stroke of color is always made by a virgin girl from the artist’s family or from another family of high caste. The artist uses only one color at a time, filling it in wherever required. The color orange is used for limbs and torso, yellow for ornaments, clothing and designs, gray for structure, blue for water and curtains, green for trees and vegetation and red, prominently for dress. The subtle black outline that brings the linear expressions alive, is the syahi.

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Painting is a unique way to express the beauty. Gift for shopping feels proud to introduce the Phad Paintings or oil paintings or decorative paintings section to its collection of gifts which will help you to decorate your walls with this beauty.

As regards the nature of this art it may be made said that among the various schools of art e.g. Ajanta Mugal, Kangra, Kishangarh, Bundi, Nathadwara, Rajput, etc. which have more or less qualities in common, PHAD PAINTING is some thing unique and appealing in its own way. How? The depiction of the same in its totality and the color scheme thereof enshrines a peculiar presentation of the painting pleasing to eyes like anything, which is further enriched and enhanced by the hard earned style of the artist coupled with the rhythmical beauty and grace of its movement, tempo and force.
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Rajasthan the land of colours is known for Phad painting, which is done on cloth. This type of painting is mainly found in the Bhilwara district. The main theme of these paintings is the depiction of local deities and their stories, and legends of erstwhile local rulers. Phad is a type of scroll painting. These paintings are created while using bright and subtle colours. The paintings depicting exploits of local deities are often carried from place to place and are accompanied by traditional singers, who narrate the theme depicted on the scrolls. The outlines of the paintings are first drawn in block and later filled with colours. Rajasthan is also known for Pichwais, which are paintings made on cloth. Pichwais are more refined and detailed than Phads. They are created and used as backdrops in the Shrinathji temple at Nathdwara and in other Krishna temples. The main theme of these paintings is Shrinathji and his exploits. Pichwais are painted, printed with hand blocks, woven, embroidered or decorated in appliqué.