Timeless Traditions: Evolution of Indian Paintings Pre-British Era

Indian Paintings has a rich tapestry that has evolved over time. Before the British era, it was rooted in traditions, from temple art to detailed manuscripts. 

Renowned Painters: Evolution of Indian Painting with Global Influences

• The British introduced the Company School of Painting, blending European observation with Indian styles. 
• Raja Ravi Varma: As photography emerged, artists like Raja Ravi Varma combined European techniques with Indian themes. 
• Abanindranath Tagore: The Bengal School of Art, led by Abanindranath Tagore, sought inspiration from Indian heritage. 
• Others: Nandalal Bose’s ‘Haripura Posters’ celebrated the common man, while Gaganendranath Tagore and others embraced modern styles like Cubism. 
• Jamini Roy: Artists like Jamini Roy bridged folk art with contemporary themes.
• This journey showcases India’s ability to merge traditions with evolving global influences.

Vishnudharmottara: A Guiding Light for Indian Art and Painting Canons

• Vishnudharmottara Purana Insights: The third Khanda of the Vishnudharmottara Purana, a fifth-century text, includes the chapter Chitrasutra, a significant source of Indian art, especially painting.
• “Pratima Lakshana” in Art: This text introduces the art of image-making known as “Pratima Lakshana”, which outlines the canons of painting.

• Comprehensive Painting: It also discusses techniques, tools, materials, surfaces (like walls), perception, perspective, and the three-dimensionality of human figures.

• Different Limbs in Painting: Roopbheda focuses on looks and appearance, Pramana emphasizes measurements, proportion and structure, Bhava focuses on expressions, Lavanya Yojana focuses on aesthetic composition, Sadrishya focuses on the resemblance,  Varnika Bhanga focuses on the Use of brushes and colors.
  • Artists through the centuries have adhered to these canons, making them foundational to various styles and schools of Indian Paintings.

Medieval Miniature Paintings: Intricate Beauty of Handheld Medieval Artworks

• Smaller Size: Paintings from the medieval era are commonly termed “miniature paintings” due to their smaller size.
• Closed Observation: These were handheld artworks meant for close observation because of their intricate details.
  • They were never meant to be displayed on walls, unlike mural paintings that adorned the walls of affluent homes.

Manuscript Illustrations: Indian Painting in Manuscripts and Thematic Sets

• A significant portion of these Indian Paintings served as illustrations for manuscripts. 
• Poetic Verses Visualized: These Indian Paintings visually translate poetic verses from epics and various canonical, literary, bardic, or musical texts. 
• Integration of Text and Image: Verses were typically handwritten either at the top of the painting or behind it.
• Thematic Grouping in Sets: Indian Paintings were systematically grouped in thematic sets, such as the Ramayana, Bhagavata Purana, Mahabharata, Gita Govinda, Ragamala, etc.
  • Each set was wrapped in cloth and stored in the libraries of kings or patrons.
• Colophon Page: The most crucial page in a set, containing details about the patron, artist, scribe, date, and place of work. 
  • Unfortunately, many colophon pages have been lost over time.

Art’s History: Challenges in Preserving and Interpreting

• Perils of Preservation: Many paintings have faced damage due to mishandling, fire, humidity, and other calamities.
• Trade and Dispersal: Paintings were often gifted or traded, leading to their dispersal across various regions. 
  • Example: A Mewar painting could be found with the Bundi king, and vice versa.
• Chronological Ambiguities: Many Indian Paintings are undated, leading to gaps in chronological records.
• Folio Fragmentation: Loose folios have been separated from their original sets and now reside in various museums and private collections.
• Resurfacing Challenges: These dispersed paintings occasionally resurface, challenging established timelines and requiring scholars to adjust historical chronologies.
• Hypothetical Timeframes: Updated sets are often assigned hypothetical timeframes based on style and circumstantial evidence.