The Rajasthani Schools of Painting: A Class 12 NCERT Guide

Historical Background of The Rajasthani Schools of Painting

The Rajasthani Schools of Painting developed mainly in the princely kingdoms and thikanas of Rajasthan and parts of Madhya Pradesh from the 16th to early 19th centuries. These miniature paintings were patronised by Rajput rulers who supported art that reflected their culture, religion, and royal grandeur.

The Bhakti movement significantly influenced the themes, especially the worship of Rama and Krishna. Paintings often illustrated devotional love, court scenes, and epic tales, blending religious fervour with local traditions. The schools include Mewar, Marwar, Bundi, Kota, Jaipur, and others, each with distinct styles but sharing common themes and techniques.

This chapter in Class 12 NCERT Fine Art helps students appreciate how regional art forms contribute to India's rich cultural heritage.

Themes and Religious Influences in Rajasthani Paintings

The dominant themes in The Rajasthani Schools of Painting revolve around devotion, romance, and royal life. The Bhakti movement popularised the cults of Rama and Krishna, inspiring many artworks.

• Krishna and Radha: Central figures symbolising divine love, often depicted in scenes from the Gita Govinda by Jayadeva.
• Ragamala Paintings: Visual interpretations of ragas (musical modes) and raginis (their consorts), portraying moods, seasons, and times of day.
• Epic Narratives: Scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagvata Purana.
• Romantic and Bardic Legends: Stories like Dhola-Maru and Sohni-Mahiwal.
• Court and Daily Life: Royal portraits, festivals, hunting, and cityscapes.

These themes reflect a synthesis of spirituality, culture, and social life, making the paintings both devotional and documentary.

Techniques and Materials Used in Rajasthani Miniature Paintings

Creating a Rajasthani miniature painting was a meticulous process involving several steps:

1. Sketching: The master artist first outlined the composition using black or brown ink. 2. Colour Application: Natural mineral pigments and precious metals like gold and silver mixed with glue were applied to achieve vibrant colours. 3. Burnishing: The painting was polished with an agate stone to enhance brightness and smoothness.

The teamwork involved specialists:

• Master artist for composition and final touches
• Colourists for filling hues
• Portrait artists for faces
• Landscape and animal painters for backgrounds

This collaborative effort ensured detailed and high-quality artworks, typical of The Rajasthani Schools of Painting.

Comparison of Major Rajasthani Painting Schools

The Rajasthani Schools of Painting include several regional styles. Here is a comparison of some prominent schools:

Each school reflects local tastes and patronage but collectively represent the rich diversity of Rajasthani art.

Understanding Ragamala Paintings in Rajasthani Art

Ragamala paintings are a unique genre within The Rajasthani Schools of Painting. They visually interpret classical Indian musical ragas and their consorts, raginis.

• Typically arranged in albums of 36 or 42 folios.
• Each raga is personified as a male figure with six female raginis.
• Each painting depicts a specific mood (rasa), time of day, and season.

Popular ragas include Bhairava (morning, winter), Malkos (evening, spring), and Megha (monsoon). These paintings combine music, poetry, and visual art, enriching the sensory experience.

Worked Example: If a Ragamala painting depicts the raga Bhairava, it would show a solemn male figure associated with early morning and winter, surrounded by six female raginis, each representing different emotions or times. The background might include symbols like the Himalayas or a temple to evoke the mood.

Role of Literature and Poetry in Inspiring Rajasthani Paintings

Literary works greatly influenced The Rajasthani Schools of Painting:

• Gita Govinda (12th century): By Jayadeva, inspired many Krishna-Radha love scenes.
• Rasamanjari (14th century): Classified heroes and heroines by emotional states, aiding painters in character depiction.
• Rasikapriya (1591): Explored complex emotions like jealousy and separation.
• Bihari Satsai (1662): Aphorisms often illustrated in Mewar and Pahari paintings.

These texts provided narrative frameworks and emotional depth, enabling artists to portray subtle feelings and stories. The integration of poetry and painting enhanced the devotional and aesthetic appeal of the artworks.