India has a vast and colorful art tradition.
Indian painting reflects influences from the art of other cultures. Throughout history, the lively trade of central Asia introduced many styles of painting to Indian artists. But the development of painting in India always remained sophisticated and strongly focused on indigenous tradition and mythological themes. Some now-collectible painting was done on mud walls. Some is still made from dung and pigments ground from nature. And fine examples of Indian art are found in collections and museums all over the world.
Tanjore Painting
Tanjore painting is native to Tamil Nadu in southern India. The compositions are very elaborate and colorful and are often encrusted with pearls, semi-precious stones, bits of glass, lace or silk threads. The style dates from the 16th century but is still practiced. Paintings are made on planks of wood that are covered with a layer of cloth on which the design is sketched. The painting is always made in relief with layers of zinc oxide, precious stone embellishments, areas of pressed gold leaf and bright paint applied to the design. The subjects of Tanjore paintings are usually Hindu gods and goddesses and the most important figure always occupies the center of the composition.
Miniatures
Indian miniature painting traditions feature intricate and detailed brushwork and colors made of real gold and silver, ground minerals, precious stones, sacred conch shells and vegetable dyes. Prominent schools of miniature painting include Mughal, Rajput and Deccan. Subjects are murals---scenes depicting an elaborate royal marriage, for instance---and the objects, their placement and colors in the painting have symbolic value.
Mughal Painting
During the long reign of the Mughal emperors in India, a period that saw a great flowering of the arts, a style of painting that depicted hunting scenes, battles, court events, traditional legends, wild animals and royal portraits was popular. Scenes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana and other epic tales were often painted under the patronage of the emperor and wealthy nobility. Mughal painting, from the 16th to 19th centuries, can be found in prominent museum collections today. The style shows strong Persian and Islamic influences and became more and more refined over time. The form declined with the gradual withdrawal of royal support.
Madhubani Painting
Madhubani painting evolved over centuries from a village tradition to a widely collected art form. The original paintings were made on the mud-plastered walls of huts by the women of the village as dreamscapes depicting their hopes. Eventually the art was used in festivals and for special celebrations and today it is still made---but on handmade paper, canvas or cloth, not on walls. The subjects are themes from nature, like the sun and the moon, and from mythology---images of Krishna, Lakshmi and Shiva. The paints are created from cow dung laced with soot, turmeric mixed with banyan leaf milk, rice powder, flower juices and sandalwood. Any empty spaces on the canvas are filled in with a riot of flowers, birds or geometric designs.
