Miniature art painting :Jewel of Indian Art

(Bani Thani - A common miniature art painting)

A miniature art paintings expresses what thousands of words can not. Art shows how artistic the people are and the imaginative quality they possess. Miniature art paintings possess a language entirely their own. No written words can express their charm. It is no small wonder that miniature painting have their own style in different parts of India. Painted on paper and silk in the most gorgeous colours-red, orange, yellow, blue and green in the miniature art painting ordinary becomes extraordinary

History of this Interesting Indian Art form

The history of the Indian miniatures goes back to Persia After the conquest of Hindu India by the Muslim Persians, the workshops of the painters, weavers and architects were moved down over here, thus giving birth to Miniature Art paintings in Mughal style.
After the Mughal reign, which lasted 200 years, by the second part of the 18th century, the Rajput Maharajahs became independent. They employed these highly skilled artists to replace their own artisans, leading to a sort of painting renaissance in northern India. The whole of Rajasthan divided into numerous princely states, patronized miniature art painting. These states had evolved a characteristic style of their own .The paintings of this era have their own unique style, being influenced by the surroundings- the deserts, lakes, hills and valleys, as the case may .Colourful glimpses of history are provided by these paintings depicting hunting and court scenes, festivals, processions, animal and bird life, and scenes from the Raagmala and Raaslila -- Lord Krishna´s life story. Also, courtly lavishness and prosperity have been displayed.
To this date, Indian and Mughal Miniature paintings provide an interesting insight into the lifestyles of earlier centuries and continue to fascinate people. Artists all over India still work and develop on miniatures and continue to produce work par excellence

(court singer)

Themes of Miniature Art paintings

The themes of Indian Miniature differ according to Schools ,the various schools of miniature art painting are:

Jodhpur School: The centre of these hand made paintings are love scenes then the other art figures.

Jaipur School: gods and goddesses, kings and durbars are very attractively painted on hand made papers by the artists.

Kangra School: Real gold, stone, and water colours are squirrel-hair brushes are used. Glittering effect is extended using silver and golden colours.

Mughal School: Love scenes and the Mughal durbar are represented very beautifully on the silk using real gold and stone colors. This art today can be seen on the wooden background also.

Mewar School of Painting: These represent hunting scenes which are painted on cloth and handmade paper using stone colours