Malwa Painting: Flourishing Art in Hindu Rajput Courts (1600–1700 CE)

• The Malwa School of Painting thrived from 1600 to 1700 CE and stands as a hallmark of the Hindu Rajput courts. 

Understanding Malwa Painting: Bridging Styles and Themes (1600–1700 CE)

• Representation: It presents a unique blend, bridging the styles of Jain manuscripts and Chaurpanchashika manuscript paintings.
• Themes: Malwa Paintings had taken themes from the Ramayana, the Bhagavata Purana, the AmaruShataka, the Rasikapriya, the Ragamala, and the Baramasa.
• Notable Artworks: Early-dated artworks from this school include an illustrated poetic text by Amaru Shataka from 1652 CE and a Ragamala painting by Madho Das dated 1680 CE.

Malwa Painting Odyssey: Origins, Ambiguities, and Datia’s Influence

• Enigmatic Malwa Origins: Contrary to the distinct geographical origins of Rajasthani schools, the Malwa Painting School lacks a clear center of origin.
• Geographical Ambiguity: It is believed to span across a vast territory in Central India, with occasional mentions of places like Mandu, Nusrat Garh, and Nursing Sahar.
•  Datia Palace: A significant collection of Malwa paintings has been discovered in the Datia Palace, suggesting Bundelkhand as a potential hub for this art form.
  • Mughal Influence: However, the mural paintings in Datia Palace display a clear Mughal influence, which starkly contrasts the indigenous, two-dimensional style seen in the Malwa Painting School’s paper works.
  • Artist Speculation: The lack of mention of patron kings and their portraits in these artworks hints at the possibility that Datia rulers might have purchased them from itinerant artists.

Transformation of Mewar School of Painting: Jagat Singh’s Era and Artistic Mastery

• Pivotal Role: Mewar, in Rajasthan, is postulated as a pivotal early center of Rajasthani painting. 
• Wars with the Mughals likely eradicated many early Mewar painting examples. 
• The Mewar School’s genesis is often linked to a set of Ragamala paintings from 1605 by Nisardin.
• The reign of Jagat Singh I (1628–1652) marked a transformative era for Mewar paintings.
• Notable artists during this period included Sahibdin and Manohar. Jagannath, another distinguished artist, painted the Bihari Satsai in 1719.

Distinctive Features and Themes: Sahibdin’s Mastery and Royal Splendors

• Introduction to Sahibdin’s Major Works: Sahibdin’s major works encompass the Ragamala, Rasikapriya, Bhagavata Purana, and a part of the Ramayana titled Yuddha Kanda.
  • Unique Pictorial Technique in Yuddha Kanda: Sahibdin’s Yuddha Kanda, a segment of the Ramayana, introduced a unique pictorial technique of oblique aerial perspective, particularly for portraying war scenes. 
  • Sahibdin’s major works encompass the Ragamala, Rasikapriya, Bhagavata Purana, and a part of the Ramayana titled Yuddha Kanda.

• Manohar’s Prominent Contribution: Manohar’s prominent contribution was the Bal Kanda of the Ramayana from 1649.
• Evolution of Mewar Painting in the 18th Century : By the 18th century, Mewar painting shifted focus from textual representations to depicting royal activities.
  • Common themes included portraiture, court scenes, hunting expeditions, festivals, and daily activities of the royalty.

• Intricate Narrative and Panoramic Views: A folio showcases Maharana Jagat Singh II touring the countryside, highlighting the intricate narrative and expansive panoramic view of the landscape.
  • Mewar artists preferred a bright colour palette, predominantly featuring reds and yellows.

Bundi School of Painting: Zenith, Renaissance, and Perseverance

• Introduction to Bundi School’s Zenith: Bundi School of Painting witnessed its zenith in the 17th century, known for its impeccable color perception and design.
• Exemplary Work During Bhoj Singh’s Reign: The early phase of Bundi painting is epitomized by the “Bundi Ragamala” from 1591, painted during the reign of Bhoj Singh.
• Renaissance under Rao Chattar Sal and Rao Bhao Singh: The school thrived, notably under rulers Rao Chattar Sal and Rao Bhao Singh, with significant contributions from artists like Sahibdin and Manohar.
• Perseverance Amid Political Turbulence: Later, despite facing political turbulence, Budh Singh continued to champion the art form. 
  • His son, Umed Singh, brought meticulous detailing to the paintings.

Key Features and Iconic Works: 18th Century Elegance with Deccani Flair

• The paintings of the 18th century adopted Deccani aesthetics with a preference for vivid colours.

• Rulers such as Bishen Singh and Ram Singh showcased an inclination towards hunting, resulting in numerous hunting-themed artworks.
• Mural paintings depicting royal processions and Krishna’s tales adorned the chitrashalain of the Bundi palace during Ram Singh’s reign.

Characteristics of Bundi (and Kota) paintings: Nature, Elegance, and Cultural Reverie in Paintings

• Rich depiction of nature, encompassing diverse flora, fauna, and water bodies.
• Unique portraits and unparalleled drawings of elephants.
• The specific standard for feminine beauty such as petite women with round faces, sharp features, and a ‘pinched’ waist.
• An iconic painting, Raga Dipak, illustrates a night-time setting with a couple in a warmly lit chamber, emphasising the artistic process where painting was prioritized over inscriptions.
• Themes and Influences: Baramasa, a depiction of the 12 months based on Keshav Das’s writings, remains a popular theme in Bundi paintings.