CBSE Class 12th Fine Arts Notes Chapter- 2 The Rajasthani Schools of Painting

Learning Objective

• Themes of Paintings – An Overview
• Malwa School of Painting
• Mewar School of Painting
• Bundi School of Painting
• Kota School of Painting
• Bikaner School of Painting
• Kishangarh School of Painting
• Jodhpur School of Painting
• Jaipur School of Painting

• Rajasthani Schools of Painting: Flourished in Rajasthan and parts of Madhya Pradesh (16th – early 19th century).

• Rajput Paintings: Term by Anand Coomaraswamy (1916) to distinguish from Mughal paintings; includes Rajasthani and Pahari styles.

• Styles: Varied in execution, color, and composition across regions.

• Technique: Created on waslis with mineral pigments and precious metals; burnished for a glossy finish.

• Collaborative Process: Led by master artists, with pupils contributing to specialized areas.

Themes of Paintings – An Overview

• Vaishnavism (16th Century): Bhakti movement popularized Krishna as God and ideal lover.

• Gita Govinda (12th Century): Jayadeva’s poem on Radha and Krishna’s mystical love.

• Rasamanjari (14th Century): Bhanu Datta’s treatise on hero and heroine types, featuring Krishna as lover.

• Rasikapriya (1591): Keshav Das’ work on love’s emotive states with Radha and Krishna.

• Kavipriya & Bihari Satsai: Explores love, seasons, and moral themes; illustrated in paintings.

• Ragamala Paintings: Depict ragas and romantic tales.

• Popular Themes: Religious texts, court scenes, hunting, festivals, and portraits.

Malwa School of Painting

• Malwa School (1600-1700 CE): Represented Hindu Rajput courts; evolved from Jain manuscripts and Chaurpanchashika.

• Origins: Not linked to a specific center; associated with Central India, including Mandu, Nusratgarh, and Narsyang Sahar.

• Notable Works: Amaru Shataka (1652 CE) and Ragamala by Madho Das (1680 CE).

• Bundelkhand Influence: Many paintings found in Datia Palace, but murals there show little Mughal influence.

• Characteristics: Lacks patron king portraits; suggests paintings were acquired from traveling artists, featuring themes like Ramayana, Bhagvata Purana, and Rasikapriya.

Mewar School of Painting

• Early Mewar: Bold styles, influenced by Mughals.

• 1605 Ragamala: By Nisardin, shows early Mewar vibrancy.

• Jagat Singh I Era (1628–1652): Refined styles by Sahibdin and Manohar.

1. Sahibdin: Ragamala (1628), Rasikapriya, Bhagvata Purana (1648), Yuddha Kanda (1652).
2. Manohar: Bal Kanda (1649).
3. Jagannath: Bihari Satsai (1719).

• 18th Century: Focused on courtly life, hunting, and festivals with bright colors.

• Nathdwara School: Late 17th century, known for pichhwais for Shrinathji.

• Maharana Jagat Singh II (1734–1752): Panoramic view of courtly life and hawking.

Bundi School of Painting

• Bundi School (17th Century): Known for its vibrant colors and design; early example is the 1591 Bundi Ragamala.

• Key Patrons: Rao Chattar Sal, Rao Bhao Singh, and successors Aniruddha Singh and Budh Singh.

• 18th Century: Refined details under Umed Singh; vivid colors and Deccani aesthetics.

• Themes: Depictions of lush landscapes, wildlife, equestrian portraits, and feminine beauty.

• Notable Work: Bundi Ragamala, featuring artists Shaykh Hasan, Shaykh Ali, and Shaykh Hatim, with a focus on night settings and detailed portrayal of ragas.

• Baramasa: Popular theme illustrating the 12 months, as described by Keshav Das.

Kota School of Painting

• Kota School: Originated from Bundi in the 1660s after Bundi and Kota split; known for its focus on hunting scenes and animal depictions.

• Early Influence: Initially similar to Bundi paintings, with borrowed compositions and figural exaggerations.

• Development: By the reign of Ram Singh, I (1686–1708), Kota paintings became distinctive, focusing on landscapes and hunting.

• Features: Spontaneous, calligraphic style with marked shading and excellent animal and combat portrayals.

Bikaner School of Painting

• Bikaner School: Established by Rao Bika Rathore in 1488, influenced by Mughal elegance and subdued colors.

• Key Figures: Early work began around 1650 with master artists like Ustad Ali Raza, Ruknuddin (amalgamating indigenous, Deccani, and Mughal styles), Ibrahim, Nathu, Sahibdin, and Isa.

• Studio System: Studios called Mandis were managed by artists, with masters occasionally finishing works (gudarayi) and handling repairs and copies (marammat).

• Portraits: Unique to Bikaner, often inscribed with artist details.

• Documentation: Well-documented through inscriptions and royal diaries.

Kishangarh School of Painting

• Kishangarh Paintings: Noted for stylized sophistication with distinctive facial features (arched eyebrows, lotus-shaped eyes, slender nose, thin lips).

• History: Founded by Kishan Singh in 1609; style developed under Man Singh (1658–1706) and Raj Singh (1706–1748).

• Key Artist: Nihal Chand (1735–1757) painted Radha and Krishna themes in elaborate landscapes for Sawant Singh.

• Style: Features elongated forms, vibrant colors, and panoramic landscapes.

Jodhpur School of Painting

• Mughal Influence: Introduced in portraiture and court scenes, but indigenous styles remained prevalent.

• Early Work: Pali Ragamala by Virji (1623).

• Jaswant Singh Era (1638–1678): Noted for documentary painting, portraits, and Krishna themes (e.g., Bhagvata Purana).

• Ajit Singh Era (1679–1724): Celebrated Veer Durgadas Rathore’s heroism and equestrian portraits.

• Man Singh Era (1803–1843): Notable works include Ramayana, Dhola-Maru, Panchatantra, and Shiva Purana, integrating local architecture and culture.

• Nath Influence: Man, Singh was a follower, with paintings of him with Nath gurus and Nath Charita (1824).

• Documentation: Limited inscriptions on paintings until the 19th century.

Jaipur School of Painting

• Origins: Jaipur School emerged in Amer, influenced by Mughal aesthetics.

• Key Rulers:

1. Sawai Jai Singh (1699–1743): Established Jaipur as capital, blended Mughal and indigenous styles, commissioned Radha-Krishna themes.
2. Sawai Ishwari Singh (1743–1750): Painted leisure activities.
3. Sawai Madho Singh (1750–1767): Focused on court life.
4. Sawai Pratap Singh (1779–1803): Blended Mughal and local styles, renewed focus on religious themes, used gold and large formats.

Notable Artists: Sahibram, Muhammad Shah, and others.

📚 Why NCERT Solutions for Class 12th Fine Arts ✨

History is not just about learning story or writing essays—it’s about developing an appreciation for stories, poems, and ideas. 🌈 Our solutions help students understand moral lessons, improve reading comprehension, and build their vocabulary. 📖 Each chapter’s summary and answers are explained in a way that’s easy to follow, making exam preparation a breeze! 🌟

Clear Your Doubts with CBSEJanta.com 🔍

Visit CBSEJanta.com to access detailed solutions for every chapter in your textbook! 📚 These solutions not only help you answer questions but also enhance your overall understanding of stories and grammar concepts. 💡

Download Our App for Easy Access 📱

Want to study on the go? 🚀 Download our app for instant access to NCERT solutions, practice questions, and much more! Whether at home or traveling, you can easily prepare for your exams and boost your English skills with CBSEJanta.com. 🌍

Always Thinks for Students ❤️

“Excel in Class 12th fine arts with CBSEJanta.com! 🌟 Get FREE NCERT solutions for Honeysuckle and A Pact with the Sun. Visit CBSEJanta.com now or download our app for instant access to solutions and extra practice!” 📲