Pahari painting is an umbrella word for a type of Indian painting that originated in the Himalayan hill kingdoms of North India and is mainly done in miniature size. In terms of design and colour, it is quite comparable to Rajput paintings. This article will explain to you the concepts related to the Pahari School of Painting which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Pahari School of Painting

• These paintings were largely done in miniature painting forms throughout the era of the 17th to 19th centuries when they were formed and developed.
• Pahari painting evolved from Mughal painting, albeit it was primarily patronised by Rajput rulers who dominated many sections of the region, and it gave rise to a new idiom in Indian painting.
• Based on their regional diversity, Pahari paintings in India can be divided into two groups.
  • Basohli and Kullu Style - Chaurapanchasika style
  • Guler and Kangra Style - Calm colours and modification

Pahari School of Painting - Features

• The themes painted spanned from mythology to literature, and new techniques were introduced.
• Nainsukh was a well-known master of the mid-eighteenth century, and his family workshop continued for another two generations.
• The representation of the eternal love of Hindu deities Radha and Krishna is the core topic of Pahari art.
• In a typical Pahari painting, multiple figures appear on the canvas, all of them are animated.
• The composition, colour, and pigmentation of each figure are unique.
• Identifying Pahari paintings merely by the regions in which they were painted might be deceptive, as political boundaries in the era in which they were created were flexible and frequently changed hands between different rulers.

Jammu Kashmir style of Pahari School of Painting

Basohli Paintings

• Basohli Paintings are famous in the Kathua region of Jammu and Kashmir
• This town has produced a remarkable Devi series, a spectacular series of the Supreme Goddess's incarnations.
• The exquisite portrayal of the Rasamanjari text is likewise well-known.
• Basohli paintings are characterised by geometrical designs, brilliant colours, and shiny enamel.

Jammu Paintings

• Jammu paintings have a striking resemblance to Kangra paintings.
• Jammu created the Shangri Ramayana in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Jasrota Paintings

• Jammu and Kashmir is home to the majority of Jasrota paintings.
• It revolves around kingly events, court scenes, symbolic scenes, and so on.

Mankot Paintings

• Paintings from Mankot can be found in Jammu & Kashmir.
• It looks a lot like the Basohli kind.
• It makes use of vibrant colours and striking subjects.
• Portraiture became a popular motif in the mid-seventeenth century.
• Later on, realism and muted colours became more prominent.

Himachal Pradesh style of Pahari School of Painting

Chamba Paintings

• The style of Chamba paintings is comparable to that of Mughal art.
• It is heavily influenced by the Deccan and Gujarat painting styles.
• The Basohli style dominated Chamba paintings in the late 17th century, paving the way for the Guler painting tradition.

Bilaspur Paintings

• Around the mid-seventeenth century, this town witnessed the growth of Pahari art.
• Painters created paintings on coverlets for sacraments and rites in addition to the Bhagavata Purana, Ramayana, and Ragamala series.

Guler-Kangra Style Paintings

• Around the year 1800, the Guler Kangra painting style was formed.
• It was a naturalised version of the artwork, with noticeable differences in the treatment of the eyes and face modelling.
• Landscapes were also frequently shown in Guler-Kangra art.
• This style also emphasised Indian women's grace and delicacy.

Garhwal Paintings

• When painters from outside the region settled in Srinagar, Garhwal Paintings began.
• The Mughal style was first dominant.
• Later, it came to reflect a more straightforward interpretation of Kangra customs.

Kulu Paintings

• Two Madhumalati manuscripts, the Bhagavata Purana, and other Kulu-style paintings are included.

Mandi Paintings

• From 1684 through 1727, Mandi witnessed the birth of a new school of painting under Raja Sidh Sen.
• The king was depicted as a monstrous person with exaggeratedly large heads, hands, and feet in the paintings.
• Other pieces featured geometric configurations and delicate, realistic features.

Nurpur Paintings

• Himachal Pradesh is home to the Nurpur paintings.
• Bright colours and flat backgrounds are common in Nurpur paintings.
• Later periods substituted subdued colours for the bright ones.

Conclusion

Pahari painting is a phrase that refers to a type of Indian painting that originated in the Himalayan hill kingdoms of North India and is generally done in miniature form. In terms of design and colour, it resembles Rajput art. These paintings were generally done in miniature painting types during the period of the 17th to 19th centuries. We'll go over some of the most important aspects of Pahari painting techniques in this article.