Indian art

(3rd millennium BC.)

Geographically, it spans the entire Indian subcontinent, including what is now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The origin of Indian art can be traced to pre-historic Hominid settlements in the 3rd millennium BC. On its way to modern times, Indian art has had cultural influences (e.g., Indus Valley and Hellenistic), as well as religious influences such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Islam. In spite of this complex mixture of religious traditions.

In historic art, sculpture in stone and metal, mainly religious, has survived the Indian climate better than other media, and provides most of the best remains.

Indian funeral and philosophic traditions exclude grave goods, which are a main source of ancient art in other cultures.

Important work of artspainting

has a very long tradition and history in Indian art. The earliest Indian paintings were the rock paintings of pre-historic times, the petroglyphs.

Indian paintings provide an aesthetic continuum that extends from the early civilization to the present day.

Indian painting has evolved over the years to become a fusion of various cultures and traditions.

Rock art

Bhimbetka rock painting showing man riding on horse.

The earliest example of are the petrogylphs such as found in bhimbetka,some of them older than 5500 BC.

Genres of Indian paintingMurals

The history of Indian murals starts in ancient and early medieval times, from the 2nd century BC to 8th – 10th century AD. There are known more than 20 locations around India containing murals from this period, mainly natural caves and rock-cut chambers.

A mural painting depicting a scene from MahajanakaJataka, Cave 1, Ajanta

Paintings of Padmapani and Vajrapani on either side of the Buddha in Cave 1

A 17th-century Mughal painting

Mughal painting

Mughal painting is a particular style of Indian painting, generally confined to illustrations on the book and done in miniatures, and which emerged, developed and took shape during the period of the Mughal Empire 16th −19th centuries.

A folio from the Hamzanama

The Hamzanama, stories of Amir Hamza, an uncle of the Prophet, were illustrated by Mir Sayyid Ali. The paintings of the Hamzanama are of large size, 20 x 27" and were painted on cloth.

Rajput painting

An 18th-century Rajput painting by the artist Nihâl Chand

Rajput painting, a style of Indian painting, evolved and flourished, during the 18th century, in the royal courts of Rajputana, India. Each Rajput kingdom evolved a distinct style, but with certain common features.

Mysore painting

A painting of Laxmi

Mysore painting is an important form of classical South Indian painting that originated in the town of Mysore in Karnataka. These paintings are known for their elegance, muted colours and attention to detail.