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NCERT Class 12 Fine Art Chapter 2 The Rajasthani Schools of Painting
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The Rajasthani Schools of Painting
Chapter: 2
| SHORT QUESTION ANSWER |
1. Who coined the term ‘Rajput Paintings’?
Ans: Anand Coomaraswamy.
2. What material was used as the base for Rajasthani paintings?
Ans: Rajasthan has played a significant role in the growth of Indian art. Like other fine arts, paintings flourished widely in this region and established a distinct form called Rajasthani Paintings. Miniature Paintings are mainly done on the fabric as a base. Commonly used fabrics for the paintings are silk and cotton.
3. Which school of Rajasthani painting is known for its depiction of Krishna and Radha’s mystical love?
Ans: Kishangarh style of painting.
4. What is the primary theme depicted in Ragamala paintings?
Ans: Ragamala paintings from series of illustrative paintings based on the ‘garland of ragas’ or Ragamala, depicting various Indian musical modes, the ‘ragas’. Music has been part of the Indian ethos for years. Drum Beats, cymbals, the sound of ‘shehnai’ and conch blowing have been part of ceremonies.
5. Name one notable artist from the Mewar School of Painting?
Ans: One notable artist from the Mewar School of Painting is Sahibdin. He was a prominent painter who worked in the court of Maharana Sangram Singh (Rana Sanga) of Mewar during the early 16th century. His contributions are significant in the development of the Mewar style, known for its detailed and vibrant depictions, often focusing on religious themes and courtly life.
| LONG QUESTION ANSWER |
1. What regions and principalities are associated with the Rajasthani Schools of Painting?
Ans: The principalities are associated with the Rajasthani Schools of Painting are mentioned below:
(i) Hadoti School: Associated with the region of Hadoti, including areas around Kota, Bundi, and Jhalawar. Known for its use of vibrant colours, delicate details, and themes ranging from religious to courtly and hunting scenes.
(ii) Dhundhar School: Associated with the region of Dhundhar, centred around Jaipur. Known for its blend of Mughal and Rajput influences, characterised by delicate brushwork, detailed miniature style, and often depicting portraits, court scenes, and religious themes.
(iii) Bundi-Kota School: Particularly associated with the regions of Bundi and Kota. Known for its bold colours, use of dark backgrounds, and intricate depictions of courtly life, hunting scenes, and religious themes.
2. Who coined the term ‘Rajput Paintings,’ and why is this term considered obsolete now?
Ans: The ‘Rajasthani Schools of Painting’ mainly signifies all the schools of painting that were a part of princely kingdoms. They were also part of some thikanas of Mewar, Bundi, Kota, Jaipur, Bikaner, Kishangarh, Jodhpur (Marwar), Malwa, and Sirohi principalities.
3. How did the styles of painting differ among the various Rajasthani schools?
Ans: The styles of painting among the various Rajasthani schools differ significantly in terms of themes, colour palettes, brushwork, and artistic influences. The Mewar School is known for its bold colours and intricate details, often focusing on religious themes and courtly life. The Marwar School features strong lines and bold colours, depicting historical events, landscapes, and scenes from daily life. The Hadoti School, encompassing Kota, Bundi, and Jhalawar, is characterised by vibrant colours and delicate details, with themes ranging from religious to courtly and hunting scenes. The Dhundhar School of Jaipur blends Mughal and Rajput influences, with delicate brushwork and detailed miniature style, often portraying portraits, court scenes, and religious themes. Finally, the Bundi-Kota School is noted for its bold colours, dark backgrounds, and intricate depictions of courtly life and hunting scenes. Each school reflects the unique cultural and historical context of its region, contributing to the rich diversity of Rajasthani painting.
4. Describe the process and materials used in creating Rajasthani paintings.
Ans: The process of creating Rajasthani paintings involves meticulous craftsmanship and the use of traditional materials. Artists start by preparing the paper, often handmade, treated with a mixture of tamarind seed powder and chalk to create a smooth surface. The drawing is then sketched using a fine brush or pen. Natural dyes and pigments, derived from minerals, vegetables, precious stones, and metals, are carefully prepared and applied. Gold and silver leaf are sometimes used for embellishment. The colours are layered, starting with lighter shades and progressing to darker tones. Fine details are added with precision, using brushes made from squirrel or mongoose hair. The final artwork is often burnished to enhance its sheen and durability. This labour-intensive process results in vibrant, detailed, and richly textured paintings that are characteristic of the Rajasthani style.
5. What role did teamwork play in the creation of Rajasthani paintings?
Ans: Role teamwork play in the creation of Rajasthani paintings are mentioned below:
(a) Design and Composition: The master artist, often the head of the workshop, would conceptualise the painting, create the initial sketches, and lay out the composition. This step involved deciding on the subject matter, the arrangement of figures, and the overall aesthetic of the painting.
(ii) Drawing and Outlining: Once the design was approved, skilled craftsmen would create detailed drawings and outlines based on the master artist’s sketches. These draughtsmen were adept at translating the initial ideas into precise and proportionate figures and elements.
(iii) Colour Application: Different artists specialised in applying colours to the outlined drawings. Some would focus on specific areas such as backgrounds, landscapes, or architectural elements, while others would concentrate on the intricate details of clothing, jewellery, and facial expressions. This division of labour ensured that each element of the painting received expert attention.
6. What themes were commonly depicted in Rajasthani paintings? Provide examples.
Ans: Rajasthani paintings commonly depicted themes reflecting the region’s rich cultural, religious, and social life. Religious and mythological themes were prevalent, illustrating stories from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. For instance, the Kishangarh School is renowned for its depictions of Radha and Krishna, especially the iconic painting Bani Thani. Courtly life and royal portraits were also popular, showcasing the grandeur of royal courts with scenes of kings, queens, and courtiers engaged in activities such as hunting, processions, and celebrations. The Mewar School frequently portrayed figures like Maharana Pratap and his heroic exploits. Romantic tales, such as those of Radha and Krishna, were another favoured subject, exemplified by the Bani Thani series from Kishangarh. Musical themes were depicted through visual representations of ragas and raginis, with the Marwar School creating the Ragamala series to illustrate the moods and emotions of specific ragas. Nature and the changing seasons were beautifully rendered, with the Bundi School being famous for its lush landscapes and monsoon scenes. Additionally, daily life and folk themes were depicted in scenes of village activities, fairs, and festivals, as seen in the Bikaner School’s detailed illustrations of local traditions. Finally, historical events and heroic deeds were frequently portrayed, with the Jaipur School often documenting significant moments in the region’s history through its artwork.
7. Discuss the significance of the Gita Govinda and its influence on Rajasthani paintings.
Ans: The Gita Govinda, a 12th-century Sanskrit text by the poet Jayadeva, holds significant importance in the context of Rajasthani paintings due to its profound influence on the art form. The text, which consists of lyrical poems celebrating the divine love of Krishna and Radha, provided a rich source of inspiration for Rajasthani artists. Its themes of romantic devotion, separation, and union were ideally suited to the lyrical and expressive style of Rajasthani painting. Artists from various schools, such as Kishangarh and Jaipur, frequently depicted scenes from the Gita Govinda, capturing the intense emotions and spiritual undertones of the poetry. These paintings often portrayed the intimate moments and playful pastimes of Radha and Krishna, rendered in vibrant colours and intricate details. The influence of the Gita Govinda not only enriched the thematic repertoire of Rajasthani paintings but also contributed to the development of a distinctive aesthetic that emphasised grace, beauty, and emotional depth. This integration of literary and visual art forms helped elevate Rajasthani painting to new heights, making it a significant cultural and artistic expression of the region.
8. What are Ragamala paintings, and how are they organised?
Ans: Ragamala paintings are a form of Indian miniature painting, a set of illustrative paintings of the Ragamala or “Garland of Ragas”, depicting variations of the Indian musical modes called ragas. They stand as a classical example of the amalgamation of art, poetry and classical music in mediaeval India.
Ragamala paintings were created in most schools of Indian painting, starting in the 16th and 17th centuries, and are today named accordingly as Pahari Ragamala, Rajasthan or Rajput Ragamala, Deccan Ragamala, and Mughal Ragamala.
9. Explain the contribution of the Malwar School to the Rajasthani Schools of Painting.
Ans: The Malwa School flourished between 1600 and 1700 CE and is most representative of the Hindu Rajput courts. Its two-dimensional simplistic language appears as a consummation of stylistic progression from the Jain manuscripts to the Chaurpanchashika manuscript paintings.
10. How did the Mughal influence affect the development of the Mewar School of Painting?
Ans: The Mughal influence significantly impacted the development of the Mewar School of Painting. Under Mughal rule, there was a cultural exchange that introduced new techniques, themes, and styles to the existing artistic traditions of Mewar. The Mughal emperors patronised artists and encouraged the production of illustrated manuscripts, which influenced the content and aesthetic of Mewar paintings. Themes such as court scenes, portraits, and historical events became popular in Mewar paintings due to Mughal influence. Additionally, the use of Persianate elements like detailed rendering, naturalistic depictions, and a broader colour palette also found their way into Mewar paintings, blending with local Rajasthani artistic sensibilities to create a distinct hybrid style. Thus, the Mughal influence played a crucial role in shaping the evolution of the Mewar School of Painting.
| EXERCISE |
1. In what ways do you think that the Western Indian manuscript painting tradition guided the developments of miniature painting traditions in Rajasthan?
Ans: The Western Indian manuscript painting tradition provided a foundational influence on the miniature painting traditions in Rajasthan in several key ways. Firstly, it introduced technical aspects such as intricate detailing, use of vibrant colours, and meticulous craftsmanship, which became hallmark features of Rajasthan’s miniature paintings. Artists in Rajasthan adopted these techniques, refining them further to suit local tastes and cultural narratives.
Secondly, the Western Indian tradition brought thematic diversity, incorporating a wide range of subjects including mythology, courtly scenes, and narratives from epics. This broadened the scope of storytelling within Rajasthan’s miniature paintings, allowing artists to depict local legends, Rajput court life, and religious themes with enhanced sophistication and narrative clarity.
2. Describe different schools of Rajasthani paintings and give examples to support their characteristics.
Ans: Rajasthani painting encompasses several distinct schools, each with its own unique style, themes, and historical influences.
(i) PIntricate detailing, vibrant colours, and a strong focus on depicting themes from Indian mythology, epics, and courtly life.
3. What is Ragamala? Give examples of Ragamala paintings from various schools of Rajasthan.
Ans: Ragamala, meaning “garland of ragas,” refers to a genre of Indian miniature paintings that visually interpret various musical modes (ragas) and their associated emotions through images of people, landscapes, and seasons. These paintings were popular in mediaeval and early modern India, particularly from the 16th to 19th centuries. The Ragamala paintings depict scenes that correspond to specific ragas, capturing the mood, sentiment, and aesthetic essence of each musical mode. They often portray courtly life, nature, mythology, and human emotions, using vibrant colours, intricate details, and stylized compositions to convey the lyrical and emotional nuances of Indian classical music. Ragamala paintings are not only artistic representations but also cultural artefacts that reflect the interplay between music, poetry, and visual arts in traditional Indian society.
Example: Ragamala Series, featuring delicate brushwork, lyrical landscapes, and soft colours that evoke the emotional and musical themes of ragas with a focus on intimacy and lyrical beauty.
4. Draw a map and label all schools of Rajasthani miniature paintings.
Ans:
5. Which texts provided the content or theme for miniature paintings? Describe them with examples.
Ans: Miniature paintings in India drew their content and themes from a diverse range of texts, each contributing to the rich tapestry of subjects depicted in these artworks. One prominent source was the Ramayana, an ancient Indian epic that narrates the life of Lord Rama. Scenes from the Ramayana, such as Rama’s exile in the forest, Sita’s abduction by Ravana, and the epic battle between Rama and Ravana, were frequently illustrated in miniature paintings. For example, in Mughal miniatures, the episode of Hanuman bringing the mountaintop with medicinal herbs for Lakshmana’s healing is vividly depicted, showcasing intricate details and vibrant colours to bring the narrative to life.
