G.D.
GOENKA GLOBAL SCHOOL, NOIDA
Fine Arts, grade 12
MINIATURE PAINTING
Q1. What is a miniature painting? / Write an easy on evolution of miniature painting in
India with reference to Pala school ,Jain school and central schools./Write a short note on
the following miniature schools.
A1. Miniature paintings are executed on a very small scale and are generally done on
perishable material such as cloth, paper, leaves, etc. It is an ancient art in India and there
were many schools for the same, including those of the Rajputs, Deccans and the Mughals.
Miniature paintings are delicate handmade paintings, much smaller in size than a normal
painting.
Evolution :The actual, miniature painting started taking form in the Western Indian
Himalayas during 17th century AD. These paintings were very much influenced by the
mural paintings that originated during the latter half of the 8th century. Initially they were
done on Palm leaves and later the work was done on paper.
The themes of Miniature paintings are Krishan Lila (sports of Krishna), Raga Raginis
(Musical melodies), Nayika Bheda (different classes of heroines on which Sanskrit and
Hindu writers on love, classified women), Ritu Chitra (seasons), Panchatantra.
From medieval period onwards a strong tradition of miniature paintings were found in
different schools.
Pala school:
The earliest examples of miniature painting in India exist in the form of illustrations
to the religious texts on Buddhism executed under the Palas of the eastern India and
the Jain texts executed in western India during the 11th-12th centuries A.D.
A large number of manuscripts on palm-leaf relating to the Buddhist themes were
written and illustrated with the images of Buddhist deities at centres such as-
Nalanda, Vikramsila and Somarupa.
One of the finest examples is the manuscript of the Astasahasrika
Prajnaparamita, or the perfection of Wisdom written in eight thousand lines.
Pala school was named after king Dharma Pala and Dev Pala.
Chief artists were Dhiman and his son Vittapal.
Jain School :
This school of miniature painting gained prominence in the 10 th to 16th century AD,
when religious texts like ‘Kalpa Sutra’ and ‘Kalkacharya Katha’ were portrayed in
the form of miniature paintings.
In this school, natural including gold and silver were used to depict the stories.
Portrayal of enlarged eyes, square shaped hands and portrayal of stylish figures are
the main characteristic features of this school.
The paintings often displayed male figures and goddesses of the Tirthankara with
the use of colours like green, red, gold, and blue.
In this school, paintings of goddesses were shown often heavily ornamented.
These paintings began to decline during the late 16th century.
Palm leaf was used for the manuscripts, later paper was used .
Central School :
Kalpa-Sutra illustration of Mandu (malwa region of Madhya Pradesh) was the initial
phase of the miniature art in central India.
Malwa (M.P) in central Indian, the miniature painting was pioneered at Dhar, Ujjain,
Narsinghpur and Narsinghgarh in the 16th century.
Themes were Ragmala, Ramayan, Bhagvat- Puran renowned love lore’s etc.
Excellent execution, colour-scheme, accuracy of details and elaboration, bright
colours, blend of folk elements, charged faces etc.
Q2. How did the Rajasthani school of miniature evolve? / Write an essay on the origin
and development, subject matter and characteristic features of the Rajasthani School.
A2. Rajasthani school of miniature painting flourished between 16 th to early 19th century in
the principalities of Rajasthan. It was developed under the Rajput kings, so it is called
Rajput Art. Mewar has an important place in the development of Rajasthani school as it
was not affected by the attack of the Mughals till last.
It was inspired and influenced by Jain manuscripts painting of Gujrat along with Indian
traditional art. Krishna leela is the most popular theme in the Rajasthani school. these
topic have been derived from the literary work of Surdas .Tulsidas ,Meera bai Keshav das
and Bihari lal also from Bhagvat Puran Ramayna and Geet Govinda etc.
Mewar ,Bundi , Jodhpur , Bikaner ,Kishangarh and Jaipur are the sab school of Rajasthani
school of miniature painting .
Main characteristic of the Rajasthani School of Art
1. Colour Scheme: Mostly bright glowing colours are used carefully. The main colours Red,
Yellow, Blue, Brown, White, without mixing any other colour are used. In some paintings
gold and silver colours have been used. On some places flat colour background can be
seen.
2. Depiction of Nature: Nature has been beautifully depicted in Rajasthani paintings.
Different trees, floral trees, mountains, water springs and lakes have successfully depicted
the beauty of nature.
3. Depiction of women: Only in Kishangarh the women are depicted. The women of
Kishangarh can be compared to the women of Kangra. The ‘Radha of Kishangarh’ or ‘Bani
Thani’ is world famous painting of Rajasthan. The postal stamp was issued by the Indian
Govt. on this painting.
4. Symbolic Paintings: Radha and Krishna have been shown in the form of soul and God.
Radha and Krishna have been beautifully painted in all schools of Rajasthan.
5. Linear Beauty: Rhythmic and graceful lines have been used in all sub-schools of
Rajasthan. The thin lines are full of softness in paintings.
6. Painting of literature: In literature Geet-Govind, Bhagwat Puran, Rag Mala, ‘Ragas and
Raginis’ have been beautifully painted in Rajasthan Schools of Art.
7. Religious Themes: Religious themes based on Ramayana and Bhagwat Geeta has been
beautifully painted.
8. Landscape or Seasons painting: Landscape has been beautifully painted in different
seasons. Painting of ‘Barah Masa’ is the depiction of twelve months.
9. Effect of Folk Art: Folk Art is prominent in all Rajasthani painting.
10. Night Scenes: Night scenes are painted in very attractive way in which Black or Smoke
grey colour, White colour and Yellow golden colours are used. Moon and stars have been
painted in white colour.
11. Garments: garments are highly decorative. Ladies have been wearing Lehnga and
Choli with Transparent Chunni. Males have been shown wearing high turbans and Jhabba
(a bunch of threads). Pajama and Rajput style Patka is also there.
12. Large Paintings: In comparison to the other paintings of Rajasthan, the Kishangarh
paintings are larger in size Known as ‘Pichuwayi’ (Back Curtain). These were used for plays
at the back, but in Bikaner school we find both miniature and wall paintings, also Kota and
Bundi has the same.
13. Hunting Scenes: Depiction of Animals and Birds are shown in hunting scenes which is
the effect of Mughal School of Art.
14. Festivals: Festivals have been painted in a beautiful style, in all over Rajasthan.
15. Crowded Scenes: In some paintings like (Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan) men,
women and animals are painted in crowd.
Q3. Describe the painting of Rajasthani school which is also known as “the Indian
Monalisa”.
A3. Nihal Chand gave us the best known Radha of Rajput painting as Bani-Thani. This
painting is based on the court dancer of king Sawant singh of Kishangarh .He gave the
name Bani- Thani to his court dancer. A postal stamp was issued by the Indian
Government based on this painting. Her face is elongated with high and sloping
forehead ,pointed long nose, bulging out well cut lips, pointed chin, long black hair flowing
down from shoulder to her waist, long tapering fingers of her holding Orhni and on the
other hand holding two lotus buds .Orhni is decorated with golden motifs ,her dress and
jewellery reflects the contemporary Rajput royalty.
The background is painted in deep blue colour. Her body is painted in peach colour with
beautiful colour scheme. The painting belongs to Kishangarh school of art and painted in
tempera style on paper .
Answer the following questions in your own words :
Q1. The artist from Rajasthani achool of miniature painting has ingeniously divided the
painting into two parts representing Rasikpriya poetry of Keshavdas in which Radha is
offended by the behaviour of Krishna .
Identify the title ,sub-school ,artist, subject matter and compositional arrangement of the
painting . [Board 2024]
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