Science and Art of Calligraphy and Painting

Author(s): S Andhare
Publisher: Indian National Science Academy

Page 96

60 Histroically speacking, the art of miniature painting is an all India phemominon spread over various regions covering different periods of History, identified as Schools of painting, which incorporate local culture, dialect and mannerisms of that region. Thus, we come across a variety of techniques, systems and regional terminologies used by the artisans in their respective vocations. To which is added their family terminology preserved in the memory of senior members in the form of Sutras (Formulas) couplets, dohas, chaupais etc, which, when deciphered, unfold certain recipes and skills, preserved as oral tradition. This master to pupil tradition or the T fyr vi has preserved the roots of our art and craft in India over the centuries.
These regions are briefly identified as under : Mughal, covering the entire Northern India, Rajput, i.e. Rajasthani covering the states of Rajasthan, Pahari i.e. of the Hill states, Deccani, covering the states in the Deccan and South India, covering the state of South India on the whole.
An attempt in made here to study the traditional technique of miniature painting and preparation of colours prevalent in Rajasthan and Gujarat which has a strong Mughal
8. Shridhar Andhare : Badrilal Chitrakar, Bhilwarawala, A paper presented at IAAH. Seminar on Technique held at the Sarabhai Foundation, Ahmedabad in 1982. (unpublished).