Colours of Legacy: Celebrating India's Timeless Paintings
Overview
India is one of the most fortunate countries in the world when it comes to art and culture. Indian paintings are incredible, diverse, and colourful, deeply connected to every aspect of the subcontinent’s culture, religion, and society. This diversity is reflected in everything from wall paintings to canvas paintings, and from traditional or folk art to modern art.
History of Paintings in India
You may have heard of or know about the Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
The Ajanta Caves depict the past lives and rebirths of the Buddha, along with other ancient tales, through magnificent paintings, making it one of the finest and most renowned examples of ancient Indian art.
During the medieval and early modern periods, various painting styles flourished across India. Different regions developed their own distinctive forms of art, giving rise to Mughal, Pahari, Rajasthani, and many other regional styles.
Painting in India is not uniform or static; rather, it is a continuous evolution from sacred wall art to paintings commissioned by royalty, folk traditions, and now to modern mediums.
Different GI Paintings in India
A key dimension in the contemporary effort to preserve traditional art-forms is the concept of the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, a legal and branding tool to protect regional origin, authenticity and craftsmanship. Some well-known painting styles in India that enjoy GI protection include:
1. Gond Painting of Madhya Pradesh
Traditional art form from Madhya Pradesh that transforms simple lines and dots into captivating stories of life, nature, and mythology. Each artwork is hand-painted using natural pigments from soil, plants, and charcoal, a true expression of creativity drawn from the earth itself.
2. Kangra Paintings
Kangra painting is a respected type of Pahari miniature art from Himachal Pradesh that began in the 18th century. Artists use natural pigments derived from minerals and plants, and fine brushes made of squirrel hair to achieve graceful lines and subtle shading.
3. Madhubani Paintings
Bihar’s most popular and celebrated art, Madhubani Painting (also called Mithila painting). It is known for its detailed designs and bright colors. Traditionally made on walls and floors, these artworks depict nature, mythology, and daily life using natural pigments. They feature symbols like fish for fertility and peacocks for love. Today, they are globally admired, showcasing India’s cultural heritage.
4. Bengal Patachitra
Bengal Patachitra is a traditional folk art form originating from West Bengal, India, known for its intricate designs and storytelling charm. This unique art style often portrays mythological tales, cultural traditions, and everyday rural life through detailed hand-painted scrolls.
5. Orissa Pattachitra
Orissa Pattachitra is a vibrant art form that combines cloth and illustrations, originating from Sanskrit. The art depicts mythological scenes and stories, connecting viewers to ancient tales of Krishna, Vishnu, Ramayana, and Mahabharata, making it culturally significant.
6. Pithora Painting of Madhya Pradesh
Pithora painting is a colorful art form by the Bhil and Rathwa tribes of Madhya Pradesh. It decorates village walls for special events, uses natural materials, and combines mythology and nature. The art preserves cultural heritage through vibrant designs and rituals.
7. Thanjavur Painting
Thanjavur Painting is one such handicrafts renowned for its vivid colors, detailed designs, and gold foil. They depict Hindu gods and goddesses and are made using natural pigments on wooden panels. These artworks represent spiritual themes and Indian culture, enhancing homes and temples with elegance.
8. Sohrai Khovar Painting
Sohrai Khovar Painting made by tribal women of Jharkhand. This art uses lines, dots, and shapes of animals and plants, featuring symbols like the Tree of Life and Pashupati.
9. Warli Painting
Warli painting is a traditional art from the Warli tribe in Maharashtra, India. It tells stories about rural life using simple white pigment on earthy backgrounds. The artwork features geometric patterns, stick figures, and motifs representing daily activities and nature. Warli paintings celebrate the tribe’s culture and are appreciated worldwide.
Types of Paintings
Canvas and Panel Paintings:
The most common and widely used form of painting around the world, it is the easiest way to portray your ideas or imagination on a blank surface.
Rock and Wall Paintings:
Before the invention of paper, most artists created their work on walls and rocks. The Last Supper is one of the greatest and most famous examples of wall painting in the world.
Miniature and Manuscript Paintings:
Painting on small surfaces requires precision, patience, and skill. These artworks are often created on paper, cloth, or leaves.
Tribal Paintings:
India is home to many tribes, each with its own distinctive art style. These works, created by rural or tribal communities, often reflect mythological, ritualistic, or everyday themes. Examples include Warli, Pithora, and Saura paintings.
Modern Paintings:
Modern paintings are more creative and experimental in terms of appearance, style, and expression.
Different Styles, Variety of Techniques & Methods
The variety of Indian painting techniques and styles is deeply rooted in geography, cultural traditions, and historical periods. Artists from different regions have developed their own artistic languages that reflect their lives, spiritual beliefs, and imagination.
Nature:
Many of India’s traditional painting techniques are directly inspired by the natural world. Without natural resources and inspiration from nature, these paintings would lose their very soul.
Fusion:
Many artisans fuse their artwork with multiple adornments — using wooden panels, applying chalk paste, and decorating with gold foil and semi-precious stones to create a rich, textured effect.
Sacred Art – Gods and Deities:
In several Indian regions, paintings depict gods, divine figures, and mythological stories. For example, Kangra paintings are renowned for portraying the divine romance of Radha and Krishna.
From the murals of Kerala and the Pithora art of Gujarat to the Kalighat paintings of Bengal, India’s diverse regional styles enrich its artistic heritage. What binds them together is a shared devotion to spirituality, nature, and community.
Struggles of Artisans
Copying and Imitations:
It is very easy and common to copy or imitate original artworks. Many popular paintings are reproduced by different sellers and sold at cheaper prices, diminishing the value of authentic creations.
Low Value for Artwork:
Most artisans are underpaid for their artwork. Hours of dedication and hard work often go unnoticed by buyers.
Poor Working Conditions:
In many rural and semi-urban areas, artisans work in cramped spaces with poor hygiene, inadequate rest, and no fixed working hours.
High Cost of Materials:
Essential materials such as natural pigments, gold foil, and quality base materials are becoming increasingly expensive, making it difficult for artisans to sustain their craft.
Limited Recognition and Branding:
Although GI tags provide some protection, many artisans are unaware of how to leverage them for marketing or value creation. Weak enforcement of authenticity further limits their ability to gain fair recognition and profit.
Conclusion
Painting is not just a piece of art to decorate our surroundings. Paintings hold a deeper meaning, for centuries, we communicated through pictures, figures, and signs. Development of the Human Brain, our communication and culture, without painting all these important factors that impacted our growth and dominance on the earth.
Today, for many, it’s just a hobby, but for artisans across the country, it’s the source and soul of their life. Creating art from nature, with creativity of mind and admirable skills of hand, should get desired recognition and reward. Appreciating, understanding, and supporting our local talented artisans is important now, not only does this initiative save artists, but also saves our culture, our rich history, and long preserved art styles.
FAQs
1. What makes Indian art styles great, unique, and different from paintings around the world?
Indian paintings are deeply connected to daily life, surroundings, and faith. Most traditional artworks are created using natural materials, reflecting harmony between art and nature.
2. What are the naturally available colours used in paintings?
Natural colours are derived from vegetables, spices, soil, and other organic materials. For example, turmeric is used for yellow, beetroot for red, and soil for shades of brown and black.
3. When did painting as an art form begin in India?
Painting in India has a history of nearly 2,200 years. The Ajanta Caves serve as a prime example of India’s ancient and rich painting tradition.
4. How did painting flourish in modern India?
The modern art movement in India began in Calcutta (now Kolkata). During the 19th century, the British established art schools in Bengal, which played a key role in shaping modern Indian art.
5. How did Raja Ravi Varma gain popularity? Are there other renowned painters in India?
Raja Ravi Varma gained fame by blending traditional Indian themes with modern European techniques. His works appealed to both the elite and the common people of India. Other renowned Indian painters include Amrita Sher-Gil, M. F. Husain, and S. H. Raza, who are celebrated for their remarkable contributions to Indian art.
