The Rajput paintings carried out in the Sub Himalayan states between 17th century to 19th century are known as Pahari paintings. The geographic region of Pahari painting includes Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and few areas in erstwhile Pakistan. Pahari rulers who were mainly Rajputs were great connoisseur of art and had maintained their own ateliers. This school has lots of influence of Mughal paintings and arts.
Pahari paintings developed in two phases. Early paintings of this school were distinguished by fish – shaped elongated eyes, oval faces , receding foreheads, round chins and prominent noses. Bold figures are carefully laid against monochrome backgrounds of red ,yellow, green or brown colours. Decorative pigmy trees suggest the feeling of perspective while the sky is indicated only by a narrow strip on the horizon.
On the basis of geography and style, Pahari paintings are grouped into following schools:
Schools of Pahari paintings
Basohli Paintings
Basohli is renowned for producing paintings of Devi series who was supreme Goddess. The Devi series painting was executed in bold designs. Iridescent beetles were used in the illustrations as jewels. Another famous illustration that was created was the romantic text of Rasamanjari, painted by artist Devidasa under the patronage of Raja Kirpal Pal. Basohli artists also painted portraits paintings.
Basohli is renowned for producing paintings of Devi series who was supreme Goddess. The Devi series painting was executed in bold designs. Iridescent beetles were used in the illustrations as jewels. Another famous illustration that was created was the romantic text of Rasamanjari, painted by artist Devidasa under the patronage of Raja Kirpal Pal. Basohli artists also painted portraits paintings.
The chief features of the Basohli paintings were geometrical patterns, and use of bold colors to infuse vitality in the paintings. Sometimes the artists also used lustrous enamel like colors. Basohli paintings were influenced by the painting schools of Mughal, Deccan school and Gujarat school of painting. By the end of the 17th century, influence of Basohli style became evident however it was lost out to the Guler painting tradition, which became dominant in the region. Dashavatara, attributed to the mid 18th century, executed by artist Mahesh was a significant work from this school. The illustration work based on the on the life of Krishna and the story of Usha and Annirudha from the Bhagavata Purana were other notable works of art.
Guler Kangra Style
In the 18th century, new school of Pahari painting came into existence. Slowly and gradually the paintings of this school surpassed other established painting styles. The decorative and stylized treatment of various motifs in flat, and cut out forms became more naturalistic in the new style. Eyes and the modeling of the face began to be treated differently. This painting style introduced naturalistic landscapes.
The illustration of Gita Govinda, showed landscapes, and used shading. The shading device appeared all over the grassy plains of the several paintings of the series. However, this feature was absent in the earlier Pahari paintings.
In the 18th century, new school of Pahari painting came into existence. Slowly and gradually the paintings of this school surpassed other established painting styles. The decorative and stylized treatment of various motifs in flat, and cut out forms became more naturalistic in the new style. Eyes and the modeling of the face began to be treated differently. This painting style introduced naturalistic landscapes.
The illustration of Gita Govinda, showed landscapes, and used shading. The shading device appeared all over the grassy plains of the several paintings of the series. However, this feature was absent in the earlier Pahari paintings.
The lines in the paintings assumed a lyrical character. The line now seem to be flowing in a rhythmic way. Color scheme became slightly cooler and fresh colors were used and executed delicately on the cloth. The paintings of this school exhibit more vegetation and green expanses . Besides , the brooks and the rivulets became common elements of printings done in Kangra valley. The refined style of Guler Kangra is distinguished by its graceful female facial types .Female were depicted with sharp features. In the total scheme of the painting the feminine beauty is highly idealized in the Guler – Kangra style. Young female figures seen in these pictures are at once coy and endowed with exceptional beauty.
Garhwal
Garhwal painting and the artist Moluram are synonyms. The earlier work of Molu Ram reflected the influence of Mughal style while his later work can be interpreted as cruder version of Kangra traditions. Moluram was also a noted poets hence his paintings often carried his own verses and exact dates. One of the splendid works of this region was the work of art based on Shiva-Parvati.
Garhwal painting and the artist Moluram are synonyms. The earlier work of Molu Ram reflected the influence of Mughal style while his later work can be interpreted as cruder version of Kangra traditions. Moluram was also a noted poets hence his paintings often carried his own verses and exact dates. One of the splendid works of this region was the work of art based on Shiva-Parvati.
Kangra
In the later half of the 18th century, Kangra style characterized with the lyrical and refined qualities developed. The painting flourished under Maharaja Sansar Chand whose patronage made Kangra style the main center of Pahari Painting. Artists produced beautiful works based on Bhagavata Purana, Gita Govinda, Nala Damayanti, Ragamala, and Satsai (Seven Hundred verses).
In the later half of the 18th century, Kangra style characterized with the lyrical and refined qualities developed. The painting flourished under Maharaja Sansar Chand whose patronage made Kangra style the main center of Pahari Painting. Artists produced beautiful works based on Bhagavata Purana, Gita Govinda, Nala Damayanti, Ragamala, and Satsai (Seven Hundred verses).
Kulu
Many portraits of the Kulu rulers have been executed outside Kulu. Shangri Ramayana dated 1690 –1710 ascribed to Kulu, exhibited four distinct styles. However, new scholastic research indicates that this work was not produced in Kulu but at Jammu. The other notable works of art were a Bhagavata Purana and two Madhumalati manuscripts.
Many portraits of the Kulu rulers have been executed outside Kulu. Shangri Ramayana dated 1690 –1710 ascribed to Kulu, exhibited four distinct styles. However, new scholastic research indicates that this work was not produced in Kulu but at Jammu. The other notable works of art were a Bhagavata Purana and two Madhumalati manuscripts.
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