Introduction

     Between the late 18th century and early 19th century, the whole Kangra valley and adjacent Punjab plains, were home of a very sensitive and highly emotional band of artists who were responsible for the ushering in of the Kangra school of paintings. Krishna legends as subjects predominate in this school. Their chief feature is their expressive line, in which they may be regarded as a continuation of the Ajanta tradition. The faces of women in profile have noses almost in line with the forehand. Their eyes are long and narrow and the chins are sharp.

Radha and Krishna

     Krishna and Radha are seated cross - legged with heads turned to each other.

Krishna is subduing the serpent Kaliya.

       The picture depicts Lord Krishna dancing on Kaliya (the serpent) holding its tail portion. A mountain is seen behind. In the background animals are running in terror.

Rajput Paintings

Introduction

     The miniature paintings produced at the court of Rajput kings form a distinct group and they were contemporary with miniatures produced in the Moghul court at Delhi. The majority of the paintings are small in size. The interaction between the Rajputs and the Moghul Emperors, resulted in the fusion of the indigenous Rajasthani miniature style and the Persian influence of the Moghul style. Consequently, these paintings are popularly known as Rajasthani or Rajput paintings. When Emperor Aurangzeb came to power, the painters in the Moghul Court left Delhi due to his puritanical attitude. They migrated to various Rajput kingdoms which patronised them. Under the Rajput Kings, the Rajput painting developed a new dimension. Rajput paintings like their Moghul counterparts are called Rajasthani Miniatures.

     An important class of Rajasthani miniatures is the series of Ragamalas or the paintings of musical modes. Every Raga and Ragini. Each of them represent an emotional situation based some mood of love, either in union or in separation. The Rajput paintings representing the Ragas of Bhairavi, Malhar and Narkamodi, Dhansari, Siyam Ramkali, Mapsari and Mankali, Berari and Bahbas were displayed in the main hall of the National Art Gallery. These depict the mood or scene which each Raga symbolises. The Ragini (Raga symbolised as a lady) is also dressed and shows facial expressions besides doing the act symbolised by the Raga. Most of the Ragini paintings bear exquisite paintings and a verse depicting the particular mode. The work is written either on the top or on the bottom of the paintings. The verses are usually in Gujarati and Marwari Script.

Raja and Rani in a palanquin