Nahta Bandhu Abhinandan Granth

Author(s): Dashrath Sharma
Publisher: Agarchand Nahta Abhinandan Granth Prakashan Samiti

Page 557

Mewar Painting Kumar Sangram Singh of Nawalgarh Mewar, the land of Sisodia Rajputs, made great contributions to the Indian chivalry and patriotism. They faced the onslaught of the invading Muslim invaders to save their religion and sovereignty, whereas their women walked smilingly to perform Johar. Today the name of the invaders, their grandeur & kingdoms have disappeared completely, whereas the land of the Sisodias---Mewarstill remains very much alive and is prospering, with the efforts of all clans and castes.
Along with bravery, the rulers and the people were great worshippers of arts, literature and architecture. They made a great contribution to the cultural heritage of the country. Today we find oldest paintings from this region in Rajasthan.
Geographically Mewar enjoys a very important position, the hills, forests and lakes have made it a very fertile land, a good hide out in event of danger, without creating any food scarcity. Even during troubled times the artists and artisans continued their creative pursuits.
Amongst the Diwans of Iklangji, Rana Kumbha (1433-1468) was a great scholar, fond of music and a great builder. He wrote commentaries on Kumar Sambhava and Gita Govinda. Today his victory tower stands majestically at the Chittorgarh Fort. Then comes Rana Sanga (1509-28) amidst the first Mewar Rulers to face the Mughals. Bhojraj, his son, married the famous poetess MIRA whose devotional songs are sung from North to South and East to West of this vast country.
He was followed by a few rulers. Then came Maharana Udai Singh to face the armies of Akbar and who shifted his capital by founding the city of Udaipur, which is known as the Venice of India, as it has beautiful lakes, with houses and the majestic palace situated on the lake and the Jag Mandir as a pearl, in the midst of the famous Pichola lake. The painting upto this period belongs to Western Indian Style (Jain Scool) (Plate 1) and cannot be called as purely Mewar as the style was prevalent in Gujrat, Mewar, Marwar, Jaisalmer and other parts. Earliest being SUPASANAHA CHARIYAM dated 1423 of Mewar origin. and later the works of art of 1525 to 75 A. D. illustrating Geet Govind, Chaur panchacika etc were executed.
Now comes the period of the great Maharana Pratap (1572-1597) who was
६८: अगरचन्द नाहटा अभिनन्दन-ग्रन्थ