Jignasa Journal Of History Of Ideas And Culture Part 02

Author(s): Vibha Upadhyaya and Others
Publisher: University of Rajasthan

Page 36

252
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Jijñāsä
a Kirtan has been a tool to continue the folk memory and reach the epic stories to such masses of population who could not read and write. Usually, the important happenings in mythological stories especially of the two epics viz., Ramayana and Mahābhārata were painted on a piece of cloth. (See, fig. no.4,5) either the scroll or flat Chitrakathi was made of this painting to be unfolded and shown when the respective scene had to be described to the audience. The scroll-painting would create additional flavour to the description of the performer of the Kirtan. The most popular descriptions that formed the themes of Chitrakathis were Sitā Haran, Lankā Dahan by Hanumān, Rām-Rāvana war, Kichaka- Bhima combat etc. Thus, while narrating the stories from the epics the performer could also extend entertainment with the help of Chitrakathis. It is also found that certain religious sects in Maharashtra or Andhra Pradesh create Chitrakathis to reach the religious information. The pictures are drawn on hand-made paper.
Large numbers of Chitrakathis found so far are from Paithan. Rāja Kelkar Museum in Pune has a very good collection of Chitrakathis.
These are just some examples to show that some new trends in painting got assimilated during Peshwa period in keeping with the prevailing ones that continued to be patronized.
ILLUSTRATIONS: 1. A wall-painting showing haveli; Motibagh Wādā. Wai; Courtesy: Sardar Anandrao Raste 2. A wall-painting having the scene of a bath of a royal lady; gulabdanis are seen on a silver
plate. Nana Phadnis wādā, Menavali; Courtesy: Asok Phadnis 3. Ganjipha showing Matsya Avatar of the Dashavataras; Courtesy: Dr. K. K. Maheshwari 4. Laxmaņa drawing the Lakshmaņa Rekhā in front of the hut of Sita; Courtesy: Raja Kelkar
Museum, Pune 5. Pandavas sent to the forest by Kauravas; Courtesy: Raja Kelkar Museum, Pune
Plate 1- Painting 1 A Painting showing Dara Shukoh Presenting the bird, Huma, to Emperor Shah Jahan. It is of Mughal School and the artists are Ustad Mansur & Govardhan. From the Catalogue named Power and Desire Indian Miniatures from the San Diego Museum of Art, Edwin Binney 3rd Collection, San Diego Museum of Art, California, U.S.A., Published in French by Paris Musees, Editions Findakly, Paris, November 2002
Plate-2 Painting 2 A Painting showing the scene of Hunt depicting Peshwa and Chhatrapati Shahu; A falcon seen in the hands of Chhatrapati Shahu and another falcon seen between the Peshwa and Chhatrapati Shahu Courtesy: Department of History, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, Maharashtra
Reference
Varsha S. Shirgaonkar, Eighteenth Century Deccan: Cultural History of the Peshwas, Aryan Books International, New Delhi, 2010, pp. 13-14.