Must Talk About Indian Paintings

Indian paintings and art forms are still alive and well in many sections of the country, having been passed down from generation to generation. As a result of their cultural diversity and uniqueness, a wide range of art styles have evolved, some remaining unaffected by modernization and others adapting to new paint colors and materials. 

Each one mostly depicts religious epics or Gods and Goddesses, but they’re all distinct, admirable, and inimitable in their own right. They were once fashioned with natural dyes and colors made from earth, mud, leaves, and charcoal, and were painted on canvas or linen, giving them a sense of history and nostalgia. Here are ten traditional folk painting styles that are still used in some parts of the country.

Indian Paintings Through the Ages

In Indian art, paintings have a long and illustrious history. Miniatures, murals, and paintings on cloth are the three primary categories. Murals are massive works of art that are painted on solid surfaces. In ancient and prehistoric India, these were common. Paintings on fabric, on the other hand, appeared considerably later, when folk art became popular.

Paintings from the Classical Period

Over 70,000 years ago, this epoch began. The Indus valley culture, located in the northwest of the country, developed simple paintings on cave walls. These paintings portrayed animals as well as people going about their daily lives.

People evolved over time, as did their understanding of the materials around them. As a result, people began to create increasingly sophisticated art forms using various natural colors. These paintings can be seen in Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic places of worship.

Paintings from the Classical Period

Over 70,000 years ago, this epoch began. The Indus valley culture, located in the northwest of the country, developed simple paintings on cave walls. These paintings portrayed animals as well as people going about their daily lives.

People evolved over time, as did their understanding of the materials around them. As a result, people began to create increasingly sophisticated art forms using various natural colors. These paintings can be seen in Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic places of worship.

Madhubani Indian paintings 

Its origins can be traced back to the kingdom of Janak (Sita’s father in the Ramayana) in Nepal and present-day Bihar. It is one of India’s most popular folk arts, mostly done by ladies who desired to be one with God. 

This art form, which is characterized by geometric patterns, was unknown to the outside world until it was found by the British after an earthquake in the 1930s revealed broken houses with Madhubani paintings. According to William G. Archer, it resembled the work of Picasso and Miro. The gods, nature, and fauna are shown in the majority of these paintings or murals.

Painting is one of the many famous Indian art forms. As it is practiced in the Mithila region of Bihar and Nepal, it is called Mithila or Madhubani art. Madhubani painting, also known as Mithila painting is done with fingers, nib-pens, twigs, and matchsticks. Madhubani which literally translates into “forests of honey” refers to a rural art form developed by women from Mithila, an area in the state of Bihar, in India.

Miniature 

These paintings are distinguished by their small size, intricate details, and sharp expressions. Miniature paintings were popular throughout the Mughal Empire, around the 16th century, and were influenced by Persian forms. 

They flourished during the reigns of Shah Jahan and Akbar. Rajputs then embraced it, and it is currently widely practiced throughout Rajasthan. The paintings, like other art genres, depict religious motifs and epics. Humans are depicted with wide eyes, a sharp nose, and a thin waist in these paintings, and men are always wearing turban.

Gond Indian Paintings 

The Gondi tribe of Madhya Pradesh developed these bright, vibrantly colored paintings, mostly representing flora and fauna, as part of their sense of belonging to nature. Charcoal, cow dung, leaves, and colored dirt are used to create the colors. It’s made up of dots and lines if you look attentively. 

These styles are still imitated today, but with acrylic paints. It can be described as development in Gond art, led by Jangarh Singh Shyam, the most well-known Gond artist, who resurrected the art style for the world in the 1960s.

Warli Indian Paintings

This is easily one of India’s oldest art styles, having been created by the Warli tribes of the Western Ghat in 2500 BCE. It mostly consists of the use of circles, triangles, and squares to create a variety of shapes and reflect everyday activities like fishing, hunting, festivals, dance, and so on. The human shape, which consists of a circle and two triangles, distinguishes it. The shapes are white, and the paintings are all done on a red ochre or black background.

Wrap up:

While you get to learn more about Indian paintings, take a chance to learn about acrylic portrait paintings too. There are various kinds of artworks that can be included in your home decor. Such Indian paintings can also be used to enhance your office decor too.