Rajasthan Paintings
Rajasthan's role in the development of Indian art has been very important. The decoration of dwellings and other household objects wa
s but one aspect of the creative genius of the Rajasthani - the world of miniature paintings is perhaps the most fascinating and the distinctive styles that have existed here are renowned the world over. From the 16th century onwards there flourished different schools of paintings like the Mewar school, the Bundi-Kota kalam, the Jaipur, Bikaner, Kishengarh and Marwar schools. The miniature painting of Rajasthan is the most characteristic paintings of Rajasthan generally executed in paper, marble, ivory, wood & cloth. The most important schools related to this category are the Bundi School, the Kishangarh School, Mewar School, Amber School and the Marwar School. The phad and the Pichwais are two forms of cloth paintings in Rajasthhan. These were generally associated with the legends of Krishna and historic themes. These were generally done in colours obtained from natural minerals & vegetable, with red and yellow predominating.Each school of painting had its distinctive features.
For instance, the flowing rivers, dense forests, lush green fields of Kota-Bundi region were transferred to the paintings of that regions. In palaces of Kota-Bundi are displayed the paintings depicting hunting scenes and animal fights. Other than Nature, the figures of women are graceful, with wellproportioined bodies and sharp features. CoIours used are mainly bright, with red prominently appearing n the background. Areas in the viciniity of this region, like Uniara, Indergarh and Sarola were also influenced by the Kota and Bundi kalam.
Magic of Phad Paintings
These distinct kind of Paintings, depicting the life of Pabuji a local hero, exalted to a place of god are predominantly red and green colored long scrolls carried by the Bhopas. They are unfurled by these itinerant balladeers of Rajasthan , who narrate in song the legend of Pabuji on auspicious occasions to the accompaniment of ‘Ravanhatta’, a folk instrument.
Pichwai Paintings
Pichwai Paintings are the cloth paintings of Rajasthan those hung in temples. Pichwais depict lord Krishna as Shrinathji in different moods. They are hung behind the images of him and get changed according to the season. The pichwai paintings are done in dark rich hues on rough hand-spun cloth. They have deep religious roots and are devotionally rendered by the painters. Nowadays pichwai paintings are painted in Udaipur and Nathdwara
