Kulhadar Miniature Painting

• 09 Mar 2019

What are the Different Styles of Indian Painting?

Indian Paintings can be broadly classified into two groups:

1. Mural Paintings- Found predominantly before 11^th Century A.D.

2. Miniature Painting- Found predominantly after 11^th Century A.D.

Mural Paintings:

• Usually done on walls and has its genesis in the Gupta Period.
• The best examples of this style of painting are paintings on the Ajanta & Ellora Caves.

Miniature Paintings:

• Miniature is derived from the word ‘MINIA’ in Renaissance period which means ‘RED’. Miniature painting does not mean small.
• Size of the Miniature Paintings cannot be greater than 25inches.
• Scaling of size shall not be greater than 1/6.
• It can be executed on books, clothes, paper and even glass.
• One of the finest examples of Miniature Painting is ‘Bani Thani’ by Nihal Chand of Marwar School of Painting.

About Kulhadar Painting:

This miniature painting originated in 16^th Century A.D. and is completely indigenous i.e. it has no tinge of either Persian or Mughal style of painting.

What is Unique about this Painting?

• The style of these miniatures is marked by the use of brilliant contrasting colours, vigorous and angular drawing, transparent drapery and the appearance of conical caps 'Kulha' on which turbans are worn by the male figures.
• This group of painting includes illustrations of the 'Chaurapanchasika' – ‘Fifty Verses of the Thief by Bilhan, the Gita Govinda, the Bhagavata Purana and Ragamala.

Source: TH