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In 5000 years ago, Ancient Indian arts include tapestry, matting art work which was also riched in Medieval times, Mughal rule and British rule also.

The earliest recorded art of India originated from a religious Hindu background, which was later replaced by a soaring popular Buddhist art. Moreover, from a timeless era art in India has been inspired by spiritualism and mystical relationship between man and god.

Art in India had survived in its homeland and spread from time to time all over the world.

Miniature Painting - Rajasthan

· Madhubani painting –Bihar

· Kalamkari Painting- Andhra Pradesh

· Tanjore Painting – Tamil Nadu

· Warli Art – Maharashtra

· Mughal Painting- Mughal era

· Gond Painting – Madhya Pradesh

· Pattachitra Painting- Orissa

Rajput Painting- Rajputana

Also Read : What-is-arts-and-arts-education

1. Rajasthani Miniature Painting :

This art style is based on Mughal miniatures, but soon the delicate art of miniature painting acquired its own form in Rajasthan.

Rajasthani miniatures have a strong presence in Mewar (Udaipur), Kotah, Bundi, Jaipur and Kishangarh regions of Rajasthan.

Drawn on paper, ivory, marbles, leather, walls, wooden tables, floors and leather this folk art form uses unique exaggerated features.

These include large eyes which are almond shaped, long fingers and long necks.

Originally from Persia and brought in by the Mughal invaders, this painting now possesses strong influence from the regions of Rajasthan.

Inspired by Mughal style
Theme : Life style of King and Queen, Mythological stories, historical event etc.

2. Madhubani Painting- Bihar :

Madhubani painting, also referred to as Mithila Art (as it flourishes in the Mithila region of Bihar), is characterized by line drawings filled in by bright colours and contrasts or patterns.

These paintings are mainly done on handmade paper or cloth with nib-pens, twigs, brushes and sometimes matchsticks. This style of painting has been traditionally done by the women of the region, though today men are also involved to meet the demand.

These paintings are popular because of their tribal motifs and use of bright earthy colours.

These paintings are done with mineral pigments prepared by the artists.

The work is done on freshly plastered or a mud wall.

The paintings depict stories from Indian epics such as the wedding of Ram Sita from Ramayana and Krishna Rukmini wedding from Mahabharata.

The paintings have a unique geometrical pattern in them and no space is left empty.

o Themes: Social events

o Occasion : Festival, Marriage, Birth

o Using: Rice paste, cow dung on walls, pens, brush, twigs, matchsticks on cloth or paper.

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3. Kalamkari- Andhra Pradesh :

‘Kalam’ in Hindi means pen, and ‘kari’ denotes work. This art form is done with fine bamboo pens made by the artists themselves.

This unique style of painting was developed in the historic places of Sri Kalahasti and Masulipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Kalamkari flourished during the rule of Golconda Sultans and some paintings have Persian influences as well.

Vegetable inks are most widely used source of paints.

A recent style called Karuppur has the fabric enhanced with a golden brocade and is meant for royal families.

'Pen craft' - Sharp pointed bamboo
Hindu Mythology
Base is cotton fabric
Color- vegetables dyes

4. Tanjore Painting- Tamil Nadu :

Tanjore style of paintings were first painted during the 16th century and under the Chola regime, this art form found its calling.

Known for its use of vibrant colours, rich surfaces, and embellishments, Tanjore paintings originated from the Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu.

The themes of Tanjore paintings are mostly Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Interestingly, the main subject is always painted in the center of the frame.

Tanjore Paintings are painted on wooden planks which are colloquially known as ‘Palagai Padam‘

5. Warli- Maharashtra :

Warli is an art form indigenous to the tribal natives of Thane and Nashik situated in Maharashtra, which involves wall paintings done by the men and women of Warli, Malkhar kholi, Dhodi, Kathodi and Kokana tribes.

These tribes are residents of the northern outskirts of Mumbai, mainly in the Western India. Found embossed on the mud walls of the local houses this art was first founded in the early seventies.

The Warli art form depicts instances of social life of the tribes and also document the most important events like marriage, festivals, etc.

Wall paintings based on planting, dancing, travelling (routine activities of their life) etc.
Symbol - Sun, Moon, Plant.

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6. Gond Art- Madhya Pradesh :

Gond art is a type of Indian folk art which is primarily based in the Gond tribal regions living central India.

The art is inspired by the life and culture of the Gond tribes and the paintings depicts natural features like rivers, hills, streams and forests. Made on the walls, ceilings and floor during traditional customs and festivals, the Gond art demands attention of every visitor.

What is special is the fact that the paintings are made with a series of dot and dashes arranged beautifully into patterns and pictures.

The art form is similar to the culture of tattooing that is largely prevalent among Gond tribes.

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7. Pata Chitra- Orissa :

Pata Chitra is a type of folk art largely followed in the states of Odisha and West Bengal.They originated during the 8th century and is suppose to be one of the earliest forms of indigenous art.

‘Patta’ means ‘clothing’ and ‘chitra’ stands for paintings, so pictures in this art form are painted on a cloth base. Pattachitra art is inspired by the Jagannath and Vaishnava cult.

Depictions of Pattachitra art can be seen in the famous Konark Temple in Orissa.

The Bengal version of the art is called “Pata Chitra” and the paintings have an identifying feature of vibrant colours.

These colours were extracted from spices, soot, earth, flowers and a variety of other natural things.

The art form depicts retrograde social practices in order to prevent people from doing it.

Developed hundreds of years before, the art is synonymous of the time when vagabond minstrels used to travel the state singing folk songs about life and struggles.

8. Mughal Painting- Mughal Era :

The Mughal painting reflects a synthesis of Indian, Persian and Islamic art styles.

This art form evolved between 16th and 19th centuries. The theme centred around battles, receptions, court scenes, hunting scenes, legendary stories, portraits and wildlife.

Interestingly, Victoria and Albert Museums in London have huge collections of Mughal paintings.

Mix of Persian and Indian style
About nature and landscape
Theme : Hunting scene, historical event, life style etc.
Famous for its brilliant color.

9. Rajput Painting- Rajputana :

Rajput art forms flourished in the 18th century in the royal courts of Rajputana.

Scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata dictate this art form. Colours used for these paintings were extracted from precious minerals like gold and silver, stones and plant sources.

This was a lengthy process and would sometimes even take weeks.

Theme : Devotion or religious.
Smbol : Lotus, Peacock, Nature, Swan etc.

Notes And Knowledge

Functions of arts :

The arts is called as fine arts, which is modes of expressions and ideas that use skills and imagination to express something. Art has always perform many religious favours and address to our ancient time.

Also Read : Meaning-and-Definition-of-Arts

Arts for,