Western Indian paintings are a very traditional way of Indian miniature painting which is mainly dedicated to the design of Jaina sacred texts of the period between 12th and 16th century. The states of western India have acquired substantial fame for their unique styles of paintings which not only have been admired by the country but have also served to form a distinct identity of the state. These western areas of the subcontinent supply in the form of manuscript design. Most of these paintings are to be found in Jain texts, the initial of which are dated back to the 12th century.
History of Paintings of Western India
Miniature paintings developed throughout the 10th century in the western part of India. These paintings are seen in hastprat of Vaishnav and Jain cults. These paintings were made to make the subject matter of the book more interesting and to embellish the books. The original manuscripts are on palm leaves and the rectangle set-up was continued even after paper began to be used just before the end of the 14th century. The method was started quite well by the end of the 13th century and changed little over the next 250 years.
Types of Paintings of Western India
Western Indian paintings are exercised significant influence on the improvement of painting in India. Following are the different types of Paintings of Western India:
Paintings of Gujarat: The state of Gujarat is famous for Pithora Paintings. These paintings are mainly done during auspicious occasions or to call Pithora Baba who is believed to have the solutions of problems like drought, diseases etc. Bamboo or twigs of different plants are used to prepare brushes. The common themes of these paintings are animistic figures of horses, birds, bulls, tigers etc. Another common depiction in Pithora paintings is Raja Bhoj with a procession of elephant.
Paintings of Maharashtra: The most acclaimed and famous painting of Maharashtra is Warli painting. Practiced mainly by tribal communities, Warli paintings were originated around 2500 BC. This traditional art was previously practiced on walls and followed a unique series of steps. A coating of cow dung on the wall is firstly polished with mud. Straw and rice powder serve as the main mediums of painting and bamboo sticks are used as paintbrushes.
Paintings of Rajasthan: Phad paintings are the most ancient Rajasthani art form which is basically a scroll painting done on cloth. The tradition of the miniature paintings in Rajasthan is very prosperous in its form. Miniature paintings are diverse in size and textile. Paper, silk and wood was used, for more expensive paintings marble and ivory was also used. The colours were made from minerals and vegetables, valuable stones as well as clean silver and gold.
Paintings of Goa: There are three kinds of paintings in Goa and these are - Wall paintings, Fresco Buono technique and Graffito Art. Wall paintings were painted with a blend of colour powder along with vegetable dyes and lead based pigments. Graffito Art is a design which is drawn out on the plastered wall as it is wet to the base level and then the exposed part is filled with a mixture of lime and red oxide. Fresco Buono technique is a technique of painting that consists of lime coat carefully mixed with marble dust to stop the colours going dull or shedding off.
