Major Indian Painting Styles

Painting Style

Key Features

(Mithila art)

Credit: IE

• Region: Originating from the Mithila region of India and Nepal, dates back to the 7^th century AD.
• Characteristics: Traditionally practiced by women, this art form is created using twigs, fingers, and natural dyes. The painting technique is passed on from mother to daughter.
• Themes: Hindu deities such as Krishna, Ram, Shiva, Durga, Lakshmi, and Saraswati, along with elements of nature like the sun, moon, and religious plants like Tulsi. Social events, including weddings, are also common subjects.
• GI Tag: Recognized with a GI tag in 2007.

Credit: IE

• Region: Practiced by the Rathwa community in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
  • Made under the supervision of a priest or ‘Badwa’; the young unmarried girls prepare the walls, and the artist, ‘Lakhara, ’ paints.
• Characteristics: The artwork is created as an offering to Pithora, the God of food grains. The paint is made by mixing pigments with milk and liquor from the mahua tree and is applied using bamboo sticks, cotton, and wooden stencils.
  • Traditionally done on walls, it is characterised by 7 horses representing the seven hills surrounding the area bordering Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, home to the Rathwas.
• Themes: Daily life depictions, including elephants, people, musical instruments, weddings, festivals, and celebrations.

Credit: PIB

• Region: Unique to the Warli tribe of Maharashtra, this art form is reminiscent of prehistoric cave paintings.
• Characteristics: Created using rice paste on house walls made of Karvi sticks, layered with clay and cow dung. Unlike other tribal art forms, Warli paintings do not employ detailed religious iconography and are more secular in form.
  • Warli art, with its linear and monochromatic hues, resembles the execution of prehistoric cave paintings.
• GI Tag: Warli paintings received a GI tag in 2011.

Credit: IE

• Region: Originating in Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Kalamkari is known for its intricate and delicate designs.
• Characteristics: ‘Kalamkari’ means ‘art made with a kalam (pen/brush).’ Kalamkari art uses earthy colours like indigo.
• Types: Srikalahasti and Machilipatnam. Srikalahasti style is a freehand drawing technique, while Machilipatnam is a block-printing technique.
• Themes: The Tree of Life and scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Buddhist traditions.

Credit: Wikipedia

• Origin & Region: Originated in Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu in the 16^th century under the Nayakas of Thanjavur, who were the feudatories of the Vijayanagara rulers.
  • Under Serfoji II (1777- 1832), the ruler of the Maratha principality of Tanjore, this style flourished and acquired its present form and style.
• Characteristics: Recognized for its vibrant colors, compact composition, and signature gold foil embellishments that create a luminous effect.
  • Thanjavur paintings are panel paintings done on wooden planks, called ‘palagai padam. ’
• Themes: Depicts Hindu gods, goddesses, saints, and mythological narratives.
• GI Tag: Received the GI tag in 2007.

Credit: IE

• Region: Originating from the Gond tribal community in Madhya Pradesh.
• Characteristics: Marked by intricate patterns using fine lines, dots, and dashes, capturing elements of nature and daily life. Vibrant, featuring bold lines and meticulous detailing.
• Themes: Flora, fauna, mythological stories, traditional folklore.
• GI Tag: Recognized with a GI tag in 2023.

Credit: IE

• Region: Named after Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, this art form flourished after the decline of the Basohli School of painting in the mid-18^th century. Kangra paintings are one of the branches of the Pahari Style of painting.
• While Basholi paintings are known for their bold color schemes, Kangra paintings feature refined hues, delicate lines, and a more naturalistic portrayal of landscapes.
• Characteristics: Known for its fine lines, delicate color schemes, and intricate brushwork. Kangra paintings are famous for their delicate lyrical content.
• Themes: Nature, mythology, and spirituality, portraying deep human emotions and a connection with the natural world.
• GI Tag: Received a GI tag in 2014.