3.3 Pahari painting

Pahari painting emerged in the 17th century in North India's hilly regions. Influenced by Rajput and Mughal styles, it developed unique characteristics under local Hill Raja patronage. These paintings feature vibrant colors, religious themes, and delicate details.

The major schools of Pahari painting include Basohli, Guler, and Kangra. Each school had distinct styles and notable artists like Pandit Seu, Nainsukh, and Manaku. Pahari art flourished in the 18th century but declined in the 19th due to political changes.

Origins of Pahari painting

• Pahari painting emerged in the 17th century in the hilly regions of North India, particularly in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir
• The style developed under the patronage of local rulers, known as Hill Rajas, who sought to establish their own distinct artistic traditions
• Pahari painting was influenced by the earlier Rajput and Mughal painting styles, but evolved to incorporate unique regional characteristics and themes

Defining characteristics of Pahari style

Use of vibrant colors

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• Pahari paintings are known for their vibrant and saturated color palette, featuring bold hues such as red, blue, green, and yellow
• Artists used natural pigments derived from minerals and vegetables to create these striking colors
• The vibrant colors were used to convey the emotional and spiritual aspects of the subjects depicted

Influence of Rajput painting

• Pahari painting was heavily influenced by the Rajput painting tradition, which originated in the neighboring Rajasthan region
• Pahari artists adopted many of the stylistic elements of Rajput painting, such as the elongated figures, delicate facial features, and intricate detailing
• However, Pahari painters also developed their own unique style, characterized by softer lines, more naturalistic landscapes, and a greater emphasis on human emotions

Depiction of religious and mythological themes

• Pahari paintings often depicted scenes from Hindu mythology, particularly stories from the Bhagavata Purana and the Gita Govinda
• These religious and mythological themes were used to convey spiritual and philosophical ideas, as well as to celebrate the divine love between gods and goddesses
• Pahari artists also created portraits of the hero-heroine (Nayika-Nayaka) archetype, which symbolized the ideal romantic relationship in Indian culture

Major schools of Pahari painting

Basohli school

• The Basohli school, named after the town of Basohli in Himachal Pradesh, was one of the earliest and most influential schools of Pahari painting
• Basohli paintings are characterized by their bold outlines, flat color application, and dynamic compositions
• The school is known for its illustrations of the Rasamanjari, a treatise on poetics and dramaturgy, as well as its depictions of Radha and Krishna

Guler school

• The Guler school, centered in the town of Guler in Himachal Pradesh, emerged in the early 18th century under the patronage of Raja Dalip Singh
• Guler paintings are known for their refined and elegant style, characterized by soft colors, graceful lines, and a keen attention to detail
• The school produced many notable artists, including Pandit Seu and his sons Manaku and Nainsukh

Kangra school

• The Kangra school, named after the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh, developed in the mid-18th century and became the most prominent school of Pahari painting
• Kangra paintings are known for their lyrical and poetic quality, with an emphasis on naturalistic landscapes, delicate color gradations, and intimate portrayals of human emotions
• The school is famous for its illustrations of the Gita Govinda, a 12th-century poem by Jayadeva that celebrates the love between Radha and Krishna

Prominent Pahari artists

Pandit Seu

• Pandit Seu was a renowned artist of the Guler school in the early 18th century
• He is credited with establishing the distinctive Guler style, characterized by its refined lines, soft colors, and attention to detail
• Pandit Seu's most famous works include a series of illustrations of the Ramayana and the Bhagavata Purana

Nainsukh

• Nainsukh was the younger son of Pandit Seu and a leading artist of the Guler school in the mid-18th century
• He is known for his exquisite portraits of the Guler court, as well as his illustrations of the Gita Govinda and other religious texts
• Nainsukh's paintings are characterized by their delicate brushwork, subtle color gradations, and a keen sense of observation and naturalism

Manaku

• Manaku was the elder son of Pandit Seu and a prominent artist of the Guler school in the mid-18th century
• He is known for his illustrations of the Bhagavata Purana and the Gita Govinda, as well as his portraits of the Guler court
• Manaku's paintings are characterized by their bold compositions, vibrant colors, and a masterful use of line and shading

Evolution of Pahari painting

Early period (17th century)

• The early period of Pahari painting, in the 17th century, was marked by the emergence of the Basohli school and the influence of Rajput painting traditions
• Paintings from this period are characterized by their bold outlines, flat color application, and dynamic compositions
• The subject matter of early Pahari paintings was primarily religious and mythological, with a focus on stories from the Bhagavata Purana and other Hindu texts

Peak period (18th century)

• The 18th century marked the peak of Pahari painting, with the emergence of the Guler and Kangra schools and the patronage of the Hill Rajas
• Paintings from this period are characterized by their refined and elegant style, with an emphasis on naturalistic landscapes, delicate color gradations, and intimate portrayals of human emotions
• The Gita Govinda became a popular subject for illustration during this period, as did portraits of the Nayika-Nayaka (hero-heroine) archetype

Decline in 19th century

• The 19th century saw a decline in the quality and popularity of Pahari painting, due in part to the changing political and economic conditions of the hill states
• Many of the Hill Rajas lost their power and patronage, leading to a decrease in artistic production and innovation
• The British colonial influence also had an impact on Pahari painting, with some artists adopting Western techniques and subject matter

Themes in Pahari painting

Bhagavata Purana illustrations

• The Bhagavata Purana, a Hindu religious text that tells the stories of Lord Krishna, was a popular subject for illustration in Pahari painting
• Pahari artists created elaborate and colorful depictions of scenes from the Bhagavata Purana, such as Krishna's childhood adventures and his romantic encounters with the gopis (cowherd girls)
• These illustrations were used for both devotional and educational purposes, and helped to popularize the stories of Krishna among the general public

Gita Govinda paintings

• The Gita Govinda, a 12th-century poem by Jayadeva that celebrates the love between Radha and Krishna, was another popular subject for Pahari painters, particularly in the Kangra school
• Pahari artists created exquisite illustrations of the poem's verses, depicting the romantic and spiritual relationship between Radha and Krishna through delicate brushwork and subtle color gradations
• These paintings were often commissioned by the Hill Rajas and used for both private devotion and public display

Nayika-Nayaka (hero-heroine) portraits

• Pahari painters also created portraits of the Nayika-Nayaka archetype, which represented the ideal romantic relationship in Indian culture
• These portraits depicted the hero and heroine in various emotional states and situations, such as separation, longing, and reunion
• The Nayika-Nayaka portraits were often used to convey the spiritual and philosophical ideas of Indian aesthetics, such as the concept of rasa (aesthetic essence) and bhava (emotional expression)

Techniques and materials used

Paper and cloth as medium

• Pahari paintings were typically created on paper or cloth, using a variety of techniques and materials
• Paper was made from cotton or hemp fibers, and was often treated with a layer of white clay or chalk to create a smooth surface for painting
• Cloth, such as silk or cotton, was also used as a medium for Pahari painting, particularly for larger works or those intended for public display

Mineral and vegetable colors

• Pahari artists used a range of natural pigments derived from minerals and vegetables to create their vibrant and striking colors
• Mineral colors, such as lapis lazuli (blue), malachite (green), and cinnabar (red), were ground into a fine powder and mixed with a binding agent, such as gum arabic or animal glue
• Vegetable colors, such as indigo (blue), madder (red), and saffron (yellow), were extracted from plants and also mixed with a binding agent

Brushwork and shading methods

• Pahari painters used a variety of brushwork and shading techniques to create the delicate lines, subtle color gradations, and intricate details that characterize their style
• Fine-tipped brushes made from squirrel or cat hair were used for the initial sketching and outlining of the composition
• Larger brushes made from goat or camel hair were used for filling in the flat areas of color and creating the background washes
• Shading techniques, such as stippling and cross-hatching, were used to create depth and volume in the figures and objects depicted

Patronage and court culture

Role of Hill Rajas

• The Hill Rajas, the local rulers of the Himalayan foothills, played a crucial role in the development and patronage of Pahari painting
• Many of the Hill Rajas were great patrons of the arts, and sought to establish their own distinct artistic traditions as a way of asserting their cultural and political identity
• The Hill Rajas commissioned Pahari artists to create paintings for their personal collections, as well as for use in religious and ceremonial contexts

Influence of Mughal court

• The Mughal court, with its sophisticated and cosmopolitan culture, had a significant influence on the development of Pahari painting
• Many of the Hill Rajas had close ties to the Mughal court, and sought to emulate its artistic and cultural traditions in their own domains
• Pahari artists adopted many of the techniques and styles of Mughal painting, such as the use of fine brushwork, naturalistic shading, and the incorporation of Persian and Central Asian motifs

Impact on Indian art

Influence on later Rajasthani painting

• Pahari painting had a significant influence on the later development of Rajasthani painting, particularly in the 19th century
• Many Rajasthani artists adopted the techniques and styles of Pahari painting, such as the use of vibrant colors, delicate brushwork, and intimate portrayals of human emotions
• The influence of Pahari painting can be seen in the works of later Rajasthani schools, such as the Jaipur and Jodhpur schools

Contribution to Indian miniature tradition

• Pahari painting made a significant contribution to the broader tradition of Indian miniature painting, which encompasses a wide range of styles and regional variations
• Pahari artists developed a unique and highly refined style that combined elements of Rajput, Mughal, and local folk traditions
• The Pahari style influenced the development of other regional schools of miniature painting, such as the Deccan and Kangra schools, and helped to establish miniature painting as a major art form in India

Preservation and collections

Major museums housing Pahari art

• Pahari paintings are housed in major museums and collections around the world, reflecting their significance and value as works of art
• The National Museum in New Delhi has a large collection of Pahari paintings, including works from the Basohli, Guler, and Kangra schools
• The Victoria and Albert Museum in London also has a significant collection of Pahari paintings, as does the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

Conservation challenges and techniques

• Pahari paintings, like many works on paper, are susceptible to damage from light, humidity, and other environmental factors
• Museums and collectors face significant challenges in preserving and conserving these delicate works, which require specialized care and handling
• Conservation techniques for Pahari paintings include the use of acid-free materials for storage and display, as well as the careful monitoring and control of temperature and humidity levels
• Digital imaging and other technologies are also being used to document and study Pahari paintings, helping to ensure their long-term preservation and accessibility for future generations