Heritage is not just about stone sculptures or palaces. Poornima Dasharathi traces the history of paintings in the State, and discovers that they are full of rich and diverse themes.
When we look at a Jaipur painting or a Mysore painting on the cover of a calendar or between the sheets of a diary, we just give it a glance as our eyes focus on the dates. The painting is pretty no doubt, but beyond that, it doesn't register.
However if we were to know that the painting was the skilful work of an artist a thousand years ago with limited materials such as a rock face as canvas or probably the only record that tells us how a king looked like, then we would better appreciate its significance and value.
Art has flourished in South India much before the Christian era. As timelines changed, the canvas changed from the flat surface of caves (mural) to cloth and manuscripts (miniatures) and finally paper.
Murals of Badami
The earliest example in the State are the murals in Badami caves. In the book, 'South Indian Paintings', Sivaramamurti attributes the beautiful murals in the caves to the time of the western Chalukyas, who ruled from sixth - eighth century AD. In the same style as that of Ajanta, the art was probably made during the reign of Mangalesa, the uncle of Pulakesi II and the brother of Kirtivarman.
The ruler was a great patron of art and created some magnificent cave temples in his capital. One of the paintings that have been described by all scholars is a court scene where there is a central seated figure witnessing music and dance. Scholars think that the central figure is Mangalesa's elder brother, Kirtivarman, for whom he had high regard. Though mostly obliterated today, the graceful figures and their beautiful jewellery remind one of the Ajanta murals.
Much of the murals have vanished due to ravages of time, explains Edith Tomory in the book, 'A History of Fine Arts in India and the West'. This is chiefly due to the local materials used which did not fuse into the lime plaster background and led to blistering and flaking.
The local colours used were red, yellow, green, brown and black. The usage of blue came in the later years as it was imported from Persia, the author explains.
From the 8th century until the 15th century, there are no samples of paintings in the State. This is not to say that painting as an art was not promoted. The Rashtrakutas and Hoysalas were great patrons of art and architecture. But examples of paintings during their reign have not been found, apart from just one discovery of palm leaf manuscripts from Moodbidri, based on the teachings of Mahaveera. These have been dated to the time of Vishnuvardhana; the manuscripts use bright colours chiefly red, yellow and green and are exquisitely detailed.
From the 15th century onwards, there are many records of paintings in south India. The Vijayanagara rulers revived Hindu art in their vast empire. Wall paintings decorated not only caves outside the capital but on every building in the cities.
This fact is chronicled by Domingo Pais who visited Hampi during the reign of its most famous ruler, Krishnadevaraya. While he gives a glowing account of the city, what strikes one's mind is an account of paintings on a portion of the palace which depicts the cultures of all communities including the Portuguese and other foreigners to Vijayanagara; the paintings are intended as a window to the Queens to know about the cultures of people across the world.
After the tragic battle at Talikota in 1565, the descriptions of the city and the palace remain locked in the travellers' tales. Vijayanagara paintings can be found all over south India in fragments, Anegundi, Hampi, Lepakshi, Kalahasti, Tirupati (in Andhra Pradesh now), Chidambaram (in Tamil Nadu), to name a few.
In Hampi's Virupaksha temple, the ceiling of the mantapa has a series of paintings. One of the scenes shows Vidyaranya, the guru of Harihara and Bukka (founders of the empire), being carried on a palanquin and followed by a retinue.
The entire composition is impressive with the simple ascetic surrounded by elephants, camels, trumpeters forming the majestic procession. However, scholars think that this painting must have been created in the 15th century, a hundred years later than Vidyaranya's time, based on the style and the dresses worn by the characters.
The Virabhadra temple at Lepakshi is home to some of the best preserved paintings of the Vijayanagara period. The temple work was undertaken by two brothers Virupanna and Viranna, during the time of Achutaraya, who ruled after Krishnadevaraya. The temple's ceiling describes many stories of Shiva, Bhukailasa, Kirataarjuniya and the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, to name a few.
Tomory describes the paintings as highly decorative line drawings and the figures appear like puppets that constituted the folk art in the area. The highlight of the Lepakshi paintings is the exquisite textile designs and patterns used for the clothing of the figures and as borders for the scenes.
Though the battle of Talikota ended the great empire, it also heralded a fusion of Hindu art with the Deccani style which is another great school of painting.
Deccani paintings
The Bahamani kingdom was founded by Hasan Gangu, a commander of Tughlaq's army, in 1397 AD. In 1422, the capital shifted to Bidar. In 1535, it broke into five kingdoms - Ahmednagar, Bijapur, Bidar, Berar and Golkonda. The sultanates constituted the area that comprised north Karnataka, Maharashtra and northern Andhra. Of these five kingdoms, art flourished mostly in the rich patronage of Ahmednagar, Bijapur and Golkonda.
The Deccani (Dakhani) paintings were largely influenced by Persian and Turk art. Artists came from Tabriz to the Deccan in 15th century setting the tone for the Deccani art narrates Mark Zebrowski in the book, 'Deccani Painting'. However despite the foreign influence, there is an underlying Indian humanism, he explains.
Persian and Indian fusion is also emphasised by A L Narasimham, noted art historian, in the book, 'Nijada Kale'. He describes the miniatures found in an astrological manuscript, Nuzm ul Ulm, commissioned by Adil Shah I in 1570.
The miniatures usually have a single character with blossoms and creepers that enhance the shape; the patterns usually seen in Persian designs. The Persian way of showing the faces at an angle is later changed to showing just the profile, he further adds.
The Bijapur court which encouraged music also produced the earliest of Ragamala series of paintings. In fact, some scholars opine that depicting musical modes through paintings originated in Bijapur.
The Deccani style reached its zenith during the rule of Ibrahim Adil Shah II in Bijapur, says Aruni, ICHR. Ibrahim II was a great patron of art and passionately fond of painting, music and poetry.
Zebrowski compares him to another great contemporary, Akbar. Like Akbar, he was fascinated by Hinduism; in fact most of his portraits show him wearing Rudraksha beads.
One of the best paintings drawn by a very eminent artist, Farrukh Husain, is that of Ibrahim. The paradise garden settings, animals drawn exotically and rich colours indicate a Persian style. Ibrahim gave his daughter in marriage to Akbar's son, Daniyal; amongst other goods, many manuscripts and paintings went as a part of the bride's retinue to the Mughal court. Some of the Bijapuri artists like Farrukh Husain also went on to work in the Mughals' court. Thus the colourful and rich Deccani style influenced the Mughal art.
European influence
The Vijayanagara and the Bahamani kingdoms extended patronage to many European artists. Some of the earliest artists were Jesuits who drew scenes from the Bible, explains Narasimhan. In the book 'Suryakeerthi', he narrates the charming story of a padri named Bartholomew who presents a few biblical art works to Vijayanagar ruler, Venkata II, who ruled from Penukonda in 1600s. Amazed by the skill, the king orders the artist to create the same work in front of him. As the artist recreates the paintings, the king buys the entire collection and has it displayed in the court much against the wishes of courtiers.
Another such story from the same article is that of an artist named Cornellius Heda who journeys all the way from Prague to India. Imprisoned by the Portuguese in Goa, he escapes and arrives at the court of Ibrahim in Bijapur known for his sympathy towards artists.
He becomes the court painter and art advisor to the King. Though no sample of his work is found today, in Bijapur's Asar Mahal, there are a few wall paintings that are reminiscent of 17th century European paintings.
Post 17th century, there was a huge influx of European artists. As landscape artists were given patronage in India rather than Britain, many such artists visited India and created huge collections of landscapes, culture, everyday life, flora and fauna. They returned to their countries and sold these paintings of exotic East.
After Tipu's demise, there was a flurry of British artists to Mysore. The Daniel brothers who visited India and China created a portfolio of around 60,000 sketches. Artists like Hunter and Holmes created graphics from which they could make multiple copies. Many detailed paintings of forts, landscapes and hills were also commissioned by the British for military purposes.
Mysore paintings
* Traditional Mysore paintings represent a miniature continuation of the Vijayanagar murals incorporating Deccani elements, explains S K Ramachandra Rao in his book titled, 'Mysore Chitramala'.
* Though this style was patronised by the Wodeyars, much of the Mysore school of art that has been found and described is only from late 18th century onwards, during the time of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (Mummadi).
* Mummadi was an accomplished scholar and poet. He encouraged artists to experiment with techniques and colours while focussing on traditional themes.
* Mysore traditional paintings stick to devotional themes. There is an absence of realism and they are richly ornamental with the use of gold.
* Some of the artists of this period are Javagal Narasimhayya, Naguvanahalli Naranappa, Patala Nanjudappa and Tippaji to name a few. While Naranappa and Nanjundappa have made many large paintings for bhajana mandiras, Tippaji's Viswarupa Darshana is also iconic. Many works of the painters decorate the palaces in Mysore even today.
When we look at a Jaipur painting or a Mysore painting on the cover of a calendar or between the sheets of a diary, we just give it a glance as our eyes focus on the dates. The painting is pretty no doubt, but beyond that, it doesn't register.
However if we were to know that the painting was the skilful work of an artist a thousand years ago with limited materials such as a rock face as canvas or probably the only record that tells us how a king looked like, then we would better appreciate its significance and value.
Art has flourished in South India much before the Christian era. As timelines changed, the canvas changed from the flat surface of caves (mural) to cloth and manuscripts (miniatures) and finally paper.
Murals of Badami
The earliest example in the State are the murals in Badami caves. In the book, 'South Indian Paintings', Sivaramamurti attributes the beautiful murals in the caves to the time of the western Chalukyas, who ruled from sixth - eighth century AD. In the same style as that of Ajanta, the art was probably made during the reign of Mangalesa, the uncle of Pulakesi II and the brother of Kirtivarman.
The ruler was a great patron of art and created some magnificent cave temples in his capital. One of the paintings that have been described by all scholars is a court scene where there is a central seated figure witnessing music and dance. Scholars think that the central figure is Mangalesa's elder brother, Kirtivarman, for whom he had high regard. Though mostly obliterated today, the graceful figures and their beautiful jewellery remind one of the Ajanta murals.
Much of the murals have vanished due to ravages of time, explains Edith Tomory in the book, 'A History of Fine Arts in India and the West'. This is chiefly due to the local materials used which did not fuse into the lime plaster background and led to blistering and flaking.
The local colours used were red, yellow, green, brown and black. The usage of blue came in the later years as it was imported from Persia, the author explains.
From the 8th century until the 15th century, there are no samples of paintings in the State. This is not to say that painting as an art was not promoted. The Rashtrakutas and Hoysalas were great patrons of art and architecture. But examples of paintings during their reign have not been found, apart from just one discovery of palm leaf manuscripts from Moodbidri, based on the teachings of Mahaveera. These have been dated to the time of Vishnuvardhana; the manuscripts use bright colours chiefly red, yellow and green and are exquisitely detailed.
From the 15th century onwards, there are many records of paintings in south India. The Vijayanagara rulers revived Hindu art in their vast empire. Wall paintings decorated not only caves outside the capital but on every building in the cities.
This fact is chronicled by Domingo Pais who visited Hampi during the reign of its most famous ruler, Krishnadevaraya. While he gives a glowing account of the city, what strikes one's mind is an account of paintings on a portion of the palace which depicts the cultures of all communities including the Portuguese and other foreigners to Vijayanagara; the paintings are intended as a window to the Queens to know about the cultures of people across the world.
After the tragic battle at Talikota in 1565, the descriptions of the city and the palace remain locked in the travellers' tales. Vijayanagara paintings can be found all over south India in fragments, Anegundi, Hampi, Lepakshi, Kalahasti, Tirupati (in Andhra Pradesh now), Chidambaram (in Tamil Nadu), to name a few.
In Hampi's Virupaksha temple, the ceiling of the mantapa has a series of paintings. One of the scenes shows Vidyaranya, the guru of Harihara and Bukka (founders of the empire), being carried on a palanquin and followed by a retinue.
The entire composition is impressive with the simple ascetic surrounded by elephants, camels, trumpeters forming the majestic procession. However, scholars think that this painting must have been created in the 15th century, a hundred years later than Vidyaranya's time, based on the style and the dresses worn by the characters.
The Virabhadra temple at Lepakshi is home to some of the best preserved paintings of the Vijayanagara period. The temple work was undertaken by two brothers Virupanna and Viranna, during the time of Achutaraya, who ruled after Krishnadevaraya. The temple's ceiling describes many stories of Shiva, Bhukailasa, Kirataarjuniya and the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, to name a few.
Tomory describes the paintings as highly decorative line drawings and the figures appear like puppets that constituted the folk art in the area. The highlight of the Lepakshi paintings is the exquisite textile designs and patterns used for the clothing of the figures and as borders for the scenes.
Though the battle of Talikota ended the great empire, it also heralded a fusion of Hindu art with the Deccani style which is another great school of painting.
Deccani paintings
The Bahamani kingdom was founded by Hasan Gangu, a commander of Tughlaq's army, in 1397 AD. In 1422, the capital shifted to Bidar. In 1535, it broke into five kingdoms - Ahmednagar, Bijapur, Bidar, Berar and Golkonda. The sultanates constituted the area that comprised north Karnataka, Maharashtra and northern Andhra. Of these five kingdoms, art flourished mostly in the rich patronage of Ahmednagar, Bijapur and Golkonda.
The Deccani (Dakhani) paintings were largely influenced by Persian and Turk art. Artists came from Tabriz to the Deccan in 15th century setting the tone for the Deccani art narrates Mark Zebrowski in the book, 'Deccani Painting'. However despite the foreign influence, there is an underlying Indian humanism, he explains.
Persian and Indian fusion is also emphasised by A L Narasimham, noted art historian, in the book, 'Nijada Kale'. He describes the miniatures found in an astrological manuscript, Nuzm ul Ulm, commissioned by Adil Shah I in 1570.
The miniatures usually have a single character with blossoms and creepers that enhance the shape; the patterns usually seen in Persian designs. The Persian way of showing the faces at an angle is later changed to showing just the profile, he further adds.
The Bijapur court which encouraged music also produced the earliest of Ragamala series of paintings. In fact, some scholars opine that depicting musical modes through paintings originated in Bijapur.
The Deccani style reached its zenith during the rule of Ibrahim Adil Shah II in Bijapur, says Aruni, ICHR. Ibrahim II was a great patron of art and passionately fond of painting, music and poetry.
Zebrowski compares him to another great contemporary, Akbar. Like Akbar, he was fascinated by Hinduism; in fact most of his portraits show him wearing Rudraksha beads.
One of the best paintings drawn by a very eminent artist, Farrukh Husain, is that of Ibrahim. The paradise garden settings, animals drawn exotically and rich colours indicate a Persian style. Ibrahim gave his daughter in marriage to Akbar's son, Daniyal; amongst other goods, many manuscripts and paintings went as a part of the bride's retinue to the Mughal court. Some of the Bijapuri artists like Farrukh Husain also went on to work in the Mughals' court. Thus the colourful and rich Deccani style influenced the Mughal art.
European influence
The Vijayanagara and the Bahamani kingdoms extended patronage to many European artists. Some of the earliest artists were Jesuits who drew scenes from the Bible, explains Narasimhan. In the book 'Suryakeerthi', he narrates the charming story of a padri named Bartholomew who presents a few biblical art works to Vijayanagar ruler, Venkata II, who ruled from Penukonda in 1600s. Amazed by the skill, the king orders the artist to create the same work in front of him. As the artist recreates the paintings, the king buys the entire collection and has it displayed in the court much against the wishes of courtiers.
Another such story from the same article is that of an artist named Cornellius Heda who journeys all the way from Prague to India. Imprisoned by the Portuguese in Goa, he escapes and arrives at the court of Ibrahim in Bijapur known for his sympathy towards artists.
He becomes the court painter and art advisor to the King. Though no sample of his work is found today, in Bijapur's Asar Mahal, there are a few wall paintings that are reminiscent of 17th century European paintings.
Post 17th century, there was a huge influx of European artists. As landscape artists were given patronage in India rather than Britain, many such artists visited India and created huge collections of landscapes, culture, everyday life, flora and fauna. They returned to their countries and sold these paintings of exotic East.
After Tipu's demise, there was a flurry of British artists to Mysore. The Daniel brothers who visited India and China created a portfolio of around 60,000 sketches. Artists like Hunter and Holmes created graphics from which they could make multiple copies. Many detailed paintings of forts, landscapes and hills were also commissioned by the British for military purposes.
Mysore paintings
* Traditional Mysore paintings represent a miniature continuation of the Vijayanagar murals incorporating Deccani elements, explains S K Ramachandra Rao in his book titled, 'Mysore Chitramala'.
* Though this style was patronised by the Wodeyars, much of the Mysore school of art that has been found and described is only from late 18th century onwards, during the time of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (Mummadi).
* Mummadi was an accomplished scholar and poet. He encouraged artists to experiment with techniques and colours while focussing on traditional themes.
* Mysore traditional paintings stick to devotional themes. There is an absence of realism and they are richly ornamental with the use of gold.
* Some of the artists of this period are Javagal Narasimhayya, Naguvanahalli Naranappa, Patala Nanjudappa and Tippaji to name a few. While Naranappa and Nanjundappa have made many large paintings for bhajana mandiras, Tippaji's Viswarupa Darshana is also iconic. Many works of the painters decorate the palaces in Mysore even today.