Fine Arts I: Paintings of Rajasthan

1. Evolution and Schools

Rajasthani painting originated from the Apabhramsha style. It is classified into four major schools: • Mewar School: The oldest school. Famous for 'Ragmalas' and 'Pichwai'. Key centers: Udaipur, Nathdwara, Chavand, Devgarh. • Marwar School: Characterized by desert themes and bold colors. Key centers: Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kishangarh, Jaisalmer. • Dhundhar School: High Mughal influence. Key centers: Jaipur, Alwar, Shekhawati. • Hadoti School: Famous for nature and wildlife. Key centers: Bundi, Kota.

2. Iconic Styles & Features

Kishangarh Style (The Peak of Sophistication)

• Famous Painting: Bani-Thani (Indian Monalisa). • Artist: Nihal Chand. Painted under the patronage of Raja Sawant Singh (Nagridas). • Features: Lotus-shaped eyes, pointed nose, elongated body.

Bundi & Kota Styles (Hadoti)

• Bundi: Highest emphasis on birds, animals, and lush vegetation. Famous for 'Chitrashala' built by Ummed Singh. • Kota: Known for hunting scenes (Sikar) involving both men and women.

Nathdwara Style (Mewar)

• Pichwai: Cloth paintings placed behind the idol of Shrinathji. Motif: Banana tree.

3. Historical Manuscripts

• Shravak Pratikraman Sutra Churni: Earliest illustrated manuscript of Mewar (1260 AD), painted by Kamal Chandra. • Supasanachariyam: 15th-century Jain manuscript from Mewar.

4. Folk Painting Styles

• Phad Painting: Scroll painting on cloth depicting lives of folk-deities (Pabuji, Devnarayanji). Bheelwara's Joshi family (Shrilal Joshi) is world-famous. • Mandana: Wall and floor paintings done with chalk and ochre during festivals. • Sanjhi: Wall art created using cow-dung during the Ashwin Krishna Paksha (Shradh).