Traditional Indian art is filled with intricate, colorful patterns and designs that depict deities and cultural gatherings.
Madhubani Painting
Madhubani paintings, also known as Mithila art, originated in the Janak kingdom in Nepal which is now Bihar. This art form was only discovered in the 1930s after an earthquake. The paintings depict geometric and intricate designs of Hindu deities and are mostly painted by women. The paintings are often used for festivals, weddings and religious rituals.
Warli Painting
Warli paintings are an art form that started in 2500 BCE by the Warli tribes in Thane and Nasik in Maharashtra. The paintings portray dancing, praying, farming, hunting, and many more activitites. Geometric patterns painted in white against a yellow or red background are one of the main themes of Warli paintings. Married women are the ones who usually paint Warli paintings to celebrate a wedding or to decorate the homes of the Warli tribes.
Miniature Painting
Miniature paintings are a combination of Indian, Islamic and Persian art styles. The art form originated in the 16th century and the surrounding themes are battles, court scenes, portraits, wildlife, hunting scenes, and many more. Natural stone colors are used in paper-based wasli.
Kalamkari
Kalamkari is an art form that has been practiced for more than 3,000 years and has a close relationship to Persian motifs. Kalamkari comes from the name “kalam” which means “drawing with a pen.” In Andhra Pradesh, this organic form of hand and block printing has endured for many years. Earthy hues like green, rust, indigo, mustard, and black are used in Kalamkari art. These days, ethnic apparel incorporates this artwork, which represents everything from flora and animals to epics like the Mahabharata or the Ramayana.
Tanjore Painting
Tanjore paintings were created in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur area during the Chola era in the 16th century. It is renowned for its spectacular ornamentation, vivid colors, and luxurious surfaces. The Hindu gods and goddesses are the primary focus of the topics. The primary motifs are always painted in the center of these paintings, which are done on wooden boards. The Deccani and Maratha art, as well as European forms, are all reflected in the styles of this painting.
Pattachitra
Pattachitra art styles were first created in West Bengal and Odisha in the fifth century. The Mughal period had a significant influence on these cloth-based scroll paintings. The Pattachitra paintings are prized by art admirers and feature religious and mythological subjects. In this style of painting, the primary colors used by the artists are red, black, indigo, yellow, and white. This art style has received popularity and is still practiced today, from palm leaves to silks.
Gond Painting
Gond paintings, a kind of indigenous Madhya Pradesh art, are frequently based on animal and bird themes. This art form, which is practiced by the Gond tribes, is thought to be 1400 years old. This kind of painting is created using natural pigments such as plant sap, charcoal, colored dirt, cow dung, leaves, etc. In earlier days, this simple work of art formed with dots and lines was presented to Mother Nature as an offering.
Kalighat Painting
Kalighat paintings first appeared in the 19th century in Bengal. These paintings were created on fabric or patas, and frequently featured representations of deities and epic settings. This straightforward but engaging kind of art gained popularity because of how well it captured daily life. The Kalighat paintings stand out for their smooth, fluid shape. Since its creation, this painting genre has served as an inspiration to numerous painters.
Phad
Phad is a narrative scroll painting tradition with a 4,000-year history that originated in Rajasthan. The primary colors utilized in this style of art to depict tales of local deities and heroes are red, yellow, and orange. Typical depictions include war scenes, battlefield scenes, famous romances, etc. Numerous stories are included in each picture, which is what gives them their beauty.
Cheriyal Scrolls
Cheriyal scrolls were influenced by Kalamkari art. The Nakashi family has been engaged in the practice of this style of art for many centuries; it has its roots in modern-day Telangana. The scrolls are typically 40 to 45 feet long, with the primary themes being Indian mythology and folklore. Bright colors are used in these paintings, with a red background. The painters gather the colors from natural sources and squirrel hair is used to make the brushes.
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