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Rajasthani Painting

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A Detailed Look at Rajasthani Painting

Rajasthani Painting

The first scientific classification of Rajasthani painting was presented by Anand Kumar Swamy in his 1916 book, "Rajput Paintings" . Scholars like Kumar Swamy, O.C. Ganguly, and Havell referred to it as 'Rajput painting', a term echoed by W. H. Brown in "Indian Paintings" . However, Raykrishnadas contested this, proposing the name 'Rajasthani Painting' .

The motherland of Rajasthani painting is considered to be Medapat (Mewar), with its style completely influenced by the Ajanta painting style . Initially, it was influenced by Jain, Gujarat, and Apabhramsa styles before coming under the influence of Mughal painting .

Origins and Early Examples

The earliest traditions of depiction in Rajasthan can be seen in figures drawn by primitive humans in caves at locations like Alania Pass (Kota), Bairath (Jaipur), and Dar (Bharatpur) . In 1953, V.S. Vaavankar discovered painted rocks in the Chambal Valley (Kota), Kalisindh Valley (Jhalawar), and the Aravalli regions of Mount Abu and Eder .

The oldest available pictorial texts in Rajasthan are the 'Augh Nirukti Vritti' and the 'Das Vaikalika Sutra Churni', composed in 1060 AD and found in the Jin Bhadra Suri Bhandar in Jaisalmer .

Schools of Rajasthani Painting

Rajasthani painting is geographically and culturally divided into four main schools, each with its own distinct styles and sub-styles .

1. Mewar School

The initial and original form of Rajasthani painting is found in the Mewar style, which heavily features manuscript depictions . The first example of this style is the text 'Shraavak pratikraman sutra churni', painted by KamalChand during the reign of Tej Singh . The golden age for arts in Mewar is considered to be the period of Maharana Kumbha . During Maharana Pratap's time, the style began its independent development .

Chawand / Udaipur Style

  • Maharana Pratap's Era: Independent development began. Nasiruddin painted "Dhola Maru" in 1592 AD .
  • Amar Singh I's Era: In 1605 AD, Nasiruddin painted the "Ragamala" series .
  • Jagat Singh I's Era (Golden Period): This was the golden period for Mewar painting. The "Chitoro ri Obari" (Chitra Ro Karkano) was constructed . The painter Sahibuddin started creating personal portraits of the Maharanas and also depicted Ragamala. Manohar was another chief painter of this period, known for his Ramayan paintings .
  • Sangram Singh II's Era: Depictions of Kalila Damna, Mulla do Pyaaja, Geet Govind, and Bihari Satsai were created .
  • Features: Figures have foreheaded mustaches, big eyes, and short heights. Women are adorned with long skirts and Rajasthani jewelry . Red, yellow, green, and blue colors are prominent, with the Kadamb tree frequently depicted. Hunting scenes have a 3-D effect .

Nathdwara Style

  • Influence: Heavily influenced by the Vallabh sect, leading to numerous paintings of Lord Krishna .
  • Pichhwai Painting: This style is famous for its Pichhwai paintings, where scenes of Krishna's life (Krishna Leelas) are depicted on cloth or walls behind the idol of Lord Shri Krishna .
  • Characteristics: It is a mix of Udaipur and Brij styles. Green and yellow colors are used extensively. Key features include Shrinathji in the center, panoramic views of cows, dense vegetation, and a primacy of Kadali (banana) trees .
  • Painters: Notable male artists include Baba Ramchandra, Narayana, Chaturbhuj, and Ghasiram. Kamala and Elaichi are famous women painters .

Deogarh Style

  • Origin: Started in 1680 during the time of Dwarikadas Chundavat. It was brought to light by Sridhar Andhare .
  • Style: A mixture of Mewar, Marwar, and Dhundhand styles .
  • Characteristics: Mural paintings are seen in Moti Mahal. Main subjects include natural surroundings, hunting scenes, and royal lifestyle. Yellow is the predominant color .
  • Painters: Bagata, Kawla I, Kawla II, Chokha, and Baijnath are prominent artists .

2. Marwar School

Tibetan historian Lama Taranath mentions the painter Shringadhar in the Maru region in the seventh century, who is credited with giving birth to the Yaksha style .

Jodhpur Style

  • Maldev's Reign: Development began with murals in Chokhelav Mahal .
  • Jaswant Singh's Reign: Mughal influence appeared, with various pictures of Lord Krishna being created .
  • Maan Singh's Reign (Golden Period): Books related to the Nath sect, like Shiva Purana and Nath Charitra, were depicted .
  • Features: Love stories like Dhola-Marvan and Moomal-Mahendra are major themes. Almond-shaped eyes and high turbans are distinct features. Red and yellow colors are prominent .
  • Painters: Amardas, Dana Bhati, and Dalchand are notable painters .

Bikaner Style

  • Rai Singh's Reign: Development began with the depiction of the Bhagwat Purana .
  • Anoop Singh's Reign (Golden Period): The style reached its peak . Two forms became popular:
    • Usta Art: Golden painting on camel's skin. Ali Raza and Ruknuddin were brought from Lahore for this. Hasamuddin Usta received a Padma Shri for this art .
    • Matherana Art: A traditional Jain-mixed Rajasthani style. Painters created portraits of Bikaner Maharajas and worked on wet plaster (Ala-geela/fresco) .
  • Features: A mix of Mughal, Punjabi, and Deccani influences is visible. Painters often wrote their names and dates on their work .

Kishangarh Style

  • Sawant Singh's (Nagaridas) Reign (Golden Period): This era was the golden period for Kishangarh painting, heavily influenced by the Vallabh sect .
  • Bani Thani: Sawant Singh's beloved, Rasik Bihari, was depicted as Radha in a famous portrait called Bani Thani, painted by Mordhwaj Nihalchand . Eric Dickson called Bani Thani the "Monalisa of India." A postage stamp was issued for it in 1973 .
  • Features: Long, slender figures with lotus-shaped eyes. Women are depicted wearing the 'Vesari' nose ornament. White and pink colors are used extensively. The style shows the impact of Kangra painting .

Nagaur Style

This style used dull colors and is known for its efficient paintings of 'old age' and transparent clothes .

Jaisalmer Style

Developed under Maharawal Harraj, Akha Singh, and Moolraj, with Moomal being a prominent subject. A key feature is its lack of Mughal or Jodhpur influence, making it a purely vernacular style .

3. Dhundhar School

Amber / Jaipur Style

  • Maan Singh's Reign: Development started. Paintings of "Razmnama" (Persian translation of Mahabharata) were made .
  • Sawai Jai Singh's Reign: A 'Suratkhana' (painting department) was established .
  • Ishwari Singh's Reign: The Suratkhana moved to Jaipur. Painter Sahibaram started creating life-size portraits .
  • Sawai Pratap Singh's Reign (Golden Period): A school of painting was established. Painter Lalchand was known for depicting animal fight scenes .
  • Features: Known for large life-size portraits and mural painting. The 'Alagila' (fresco) method was a special feature, starting in Amber due to Kachhwaha-Mughal relations .

Alwar Style

  • Vinay Singh's Reign (Golden Period): Painters Baldev and Ghulam Ali depicted the book "Gulista" .
  • Shivdan Singh's Reign: Paintings based on Kamakala were made .
  • Features: Smooth, bright colors were used. It is known for its depictions of prostitutes, yogasanas, and miniature paintings. The style shows a mix of Jaipur, Mughal, and Iranian influences .

Shekhawati Style

Shekhawati is called an "Open Art Gallery" due to the abundant murals on its havelis. The style shows significant European influence, with brown, blue, and pink colors used more frequently. France's Nadine La Prince has done commendable work in preserving the frescos of Fatehpur's havelis .

4. Hadoti School

Bundi Style

  • Surjan Singh's Reign: Development of the style began .
  • Shatrushaal's Reign: The Rangmahal, world-famous for its murals, was built .
  • Ummed Singh's Reign (Golden Period): The Chitrashala was constructed, known as a "paradise for fresco." A famous painting depicts Ummed Singh hunting a wild boar .
  • Features: Known for its depiction of nature, including animals, birds, clouds, and green trees. The dancing peacock is a common motif. It shows a strong influence from the Mewar style .

Kota Style

  • Ram Singh's Reign: Development started .
  • Ummed Singh's Reign (Golden Period): The style reached its zenith .
  • Features: Famous for its depiction of hunting scenes, where women were also shown hunting animals. Light green, yellow, and blue colors were predominantly used . Ragamala was depicted by a painter named Dalu .

Modern Painters of Rajasthan

  • Ramgopal Vijayvargiya: Started the first-ever solo exhibition .
  • Govardhan Lal "Baba": Known as the "Painter of Bheels" for his pictures related to the Bhil tribe. His main work is "Procession (baarat)" .
  • Saubhagya Mal Gehlot: Called the "Painter of Need" .
  • Parmanand Choyal: Known as the "Painter of Buffalo" .
  • Jagmohan Mathodia: Called the "Painter of Dog" .
  • Kundan Lal Mistry: Created many pictures of Maharana Pratap, which inspired Raja Ravi Varma .
  • Bhur Singh Shekhawat: Painted revolutionaries and patriotic leaders, with a strong Rajasthani effect in his work .

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