Pahari painting

Radha-Krishna theme, from the Gita Govinda in Pahari style, Garhwal sub-school

Pahari painting (lit.'a painting from the mountainous regions, pahar meaning a mountain in Hindi') is an umbrella term used for a form of Indian painting, done mostly in miniature forms, originating from the lower Himalayan hill kingdoms of North India and plains of Punjab, during the early 17th to mid 19th century, notably Basohli, Mankot, Nurpur, Chamba, Kangra, Guler, Mandi and Garhwal.[1][2] Nainsukh was a famous master of the mid-18th century, followed by his family workshop for another two generations. The central theme of Pahari painting is depiction of eternal love of the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna.[3][4] A distinct lyricism, spontaneous rhythm, softness, minute intricate details of composition, and intense perception and portrayal of human emotions and physical features distinguish the Pahari miniatures from the other miniature schools like Deccan, Mughal and Rajasthani-Rajput.[5][6]

  1. ^ Hindu Hill Kingdoms Archived 30 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine V&A Museum.
  2. ^ Pahari Archived 23 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine Kamat.
  3. ^ Arts of Asia. Vol. 14. Arts of Asia Publications. 1984. p. 57. Archived from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  4. ^ Srivastava, R. P. (1983). Punjab Painting. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications. pp. 30–32. ISBN 978-81-7017-174-4. Archived from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  5. ^ Ohri, Vishwa Chander; Indian Institute of Advanced Study, eds. (1991). On the origins of Pahari painting: some notes and a discussion (1. publ ed.). Shimla: Indian Institute of Advanced Study in association with Indus Pub. Co., New Delhi. ISBN 978-81-85182-53-7.
  6. ^ "National Museum, New Delhi". nationalmuseumindia.gov.in. Retrieved 1 June 2023.