Pahari painting refers to a painting from the mountainous regions and was developed in the independent states of the Himalayan foothills in India. It is one of the types of Indian paintings which are generally done in the miniature style. Pahari painting is the name given to Rajput paintings, made in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir states of India.Origin of Pahari Painting
Pahari paintings developed and flourished during the period of 17th to 19th century. It was flourished in Basohli, Jammu, Garhwal, Chamba, Kangra, Guler and Mandiin the hilly areas in the northwest has been termed the Pahari School and was influenced to some extent by the Mughal painting of Aurangzeb’s period. Pahari paintings have been extensively influenced by the Rajput paintings, because of the family relations of the Pahari Rajas with the royal court at Rajasthan. There is strong influence of the Gujarat and Deccan paintings. With the appearance of Bhakti movement, new themes for Indian Pahari paintings came into practice. The ‘Shaiva-Shakta’ themes were increased by dialect poetry and folk songs of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. At the same time, the themes of the paintings revolved around love and dedication also. There was also illustration of great epics, puranas, etc. The depiction of Devi Mahatmya manuscript painted at Kangra, in 1552, has been much acclaimed.
Types of Pahari Paintings
Following are the different types of Pahari Painting:
Basohli Paintings: Basohli town is situated on the bank of the Ravi River in Himachal which has produced splendid Devi series, magnificent series of the manifestations of the Supreme Goddess. Artist Devidasa painted it under the patronage of Raja Kirpal Pal. Gita Govinda of 1730 is also believed to have Basohli origin. Geometrical patterns, bright colours and glossy enamel characterize Basohli paintings.
Bilaspur Paintings: Bilaspur town of Himachal witnessed the growth of the Pahari paintings around the mid-17th century. Apart from the illustrations of the Bhagavata Purana, Ramayana and Ragamala series, artists also made paintings on rumal (coverlets) for rituals and ceremonies.
Chamba Paintings: These are quite related in appearance to Mughalstyle of paintings, which strongly influences the Deccan and Gujarat style too. The late 17th century witnessed Chamba paintings of Himachal being dominated by Basohli style, which ultimately gave way to Guler painting tradition.
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