Wall Paintings: Diverse Traditions of Indian Artistic Heritage

Introduction:

Wall paintings in India have a rich tradition dating back millennia, decorating temples, palaces, and homes. They depict diverse themes, religious narratives, and regional styles, reflecting India’s cultural heritage.

Chola Art (Tanjore Paintings)

• The Cholas built great temples in Tanjore, Darasuram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. 
• Themes: Paintings related to Lord Shiva, including Shiva in Kailash, Shiva as Tripurantaka, Shiva as Nataraja
  • Depictions of the patron Rajaraja and his mentor Kuruvar (Thanjavoor, eleventh century).

Chola’s Paintings

• There are fragments of early Chola paintings in Narthamalai and Malayadipatti.
• Incidents from the Periyapuranam, in the form of miniatures, are depicted on the base of the garbha-griha (sanctum sanctorum) wall of the Darasuram temple.
• Brihadisvara temple at Tanjore has rich Chola paintings like Shiva as Yoga- Dakshinamurthy
• The dancing figures from Rajarajeswara temples of Tanjore belong to the early 11th century AD.
• These paintings exhibit a superb style of South Indian tradition of painting and remain as a link for Pallava (earlier to Chola) and Vijayanagar (later to Chola) times.

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Pallava

• The Pallava kings, succeeding the Chalukya kings, were notable art patrons. 
• Mahendravarma I built temples in Panamalai, Mandagapattu, and Kanchipuram.
• The inscription at Mandagapattu mentions Mahendravarman I with titles – Vichitrachitta (curious-minded), Chitrakarapuli (tiger among artists), Chaityakari (temple builder), which shows his interest in art activities. 
• Paintings at the Kanchipuram temple were patronised by the Pallava king, Rajsimha. 

Armamalai Cave Paintings( near Vellore, Tamil Nadu)

• These caves were transformed into a Jain temple during the 8th century AD. The walls and roof are adorned with paintings that narrate stories related to Astathik Palakas (deities guarding the eight corners) and Jainism.

Ravan Chhaya Rock Shelter (Sitabinji, Orissa)

• The fresco paintings on this rock shelter belong to Pallava times.

Vijayanagara Murals:

• The Vijayanagar painting was a continuation of the earlier Chola and Pandyan traditions. 
• Early phase of this style is represented by paintings at Tiruparakunram, near Trichy dated 14th century.
• The Virupaksha temple in Hampi has paintings on the ceiling of its mandap depicting dynastic history and stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
  • Mural paintings: procession of the sage Vidyaranya, the spiritual master who motivated Harihara and Bukka to establish the Vijayanagar empire, paintings of Tripurantaka, Narasimha and the scene of Girija Kalyana.
• The Veerabhadra Temple in Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh has paintings depicting religious narratives from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Vishnu’s incarnations and other secular themes.
  • The Boar hunt is the two-dimensional painting characteristic of late medieval works.

Nayaka Paintings: 

• The Nayakas, in the 17th and 18th centuries, continued the artistic tradition in Thiruparakunram, Sreerangam, and Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu. 
• Themes in Nayaka Paintings: It depicts episodes from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, along with scenes from Krishna-leela.Thiruparakunram features paintings (dated 14th and 17th centuries) depicting scenes from the life of Vardhamana Mahavira.
• Nayaka paintings, considered an extension of the Vijayanagara style, exhibit minor regional modifications and incorporations.

Kerala Murals: 

• During the 16th to 18th century AD, Kerala painters developed a distinctive pictorial language and technique, incorporating elements from Nayaka and Vijayanagara schools. 
• They drew inspiration from local traditions like Kathakali and Kalam Ezhuthu (ritual floor painting of Kerala).
• Artists drew from oral traditions and local versions of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata for their painted narratives.

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Conclusion

• Wall paintings in India serve as vibrant expressions of artistic creativity, religious devotion, and cultural identity, connecting the past with the present and inspiring admiration for the country’s rich and diverse artistic legacy.