Madhubani Painting
Madhubani paintings are the most celebrated style of folk painting from India; it is a form of wall art that arises in the Mithila region of Bihar. This eye-catching art style never fails to amaze one by its beautiful illustrations on the exposed interior walls of the houses in Bihar. Madhubani paintings are a perfect example of artistic expression and evocative portrayal of culture and traditions. The designs make perfectly distinctive geometrical patterns, scenes from mythology, and symbolic images. The perfect blend of bright vibrant colours and unique patterns make Madhubani stand out from other traditional Indian paintings. Katchni, Tantrik, Bharni, Khobar, and Godna are five different styles of Madhubani paintings. Lalita Devi and Bua Devi are National Award winning artists for Madhubani artworks from India.
Warli Painting
Warli is a 2500-year-old traditional painting style from Maharashtra majorly practiced in Thane and Nashik region. Warli paintings illustrate the nature and social rituals of the tribe. Warli paintings also showcase day-to-day life scenarios of the local people of that particular community just like dancing, farming, hunting, praying, etc. The local women use twigs to create these beautiful, lively designs with rice paste on mud walls, conveying the celebratory vibes of harvests or weddings. Jivya Soma Mashe, a Padma Shri-honored artist, is renowned for her contributions to this traditional tribal artwork. This famous painting in India is cherished for its simplicity and deep cultural significance.
Kalighat Painting
The Kalighat painting was discovered around the mid-19th century at Kali Temple in Calcutta. These paintings and drawings were done on paper by a community known as “patuas”. A Kalighat painting depicts scenes of everyday life and mythological deities in a captivating manner. Kalighat artists use subtle earthy Indian colours like indigo, ochre, Indian red, grey, blue and white. Anwar Chitrakar is a National Award winner recipient for Kalighat artworks from India.
Phad painting
Phad is a traditional Rajasthani scroll painting from India, depicting the stories of local deities, heroic figures from battlefields, adventure stories, and legendary romantic stories on horizontal cloth scrolls with the hues of red, yellow, and bright orange. This Indian traditional art style beautifully weaves multiple stories into a single composition while maintaining the aesthetics of artistic expression. Phad Painting marvellously portrays multiple stories in a single composition and beautifully maintains the aesthetics of artistic expression. Shri. Shantilal Joshi is a National award winning artist for establishing this impeccable Phad paintings and artworks.
Miniature Painting
Miniature painting is Mughal influenced art form; this style was introduced in India during the 16th century and transformed its identity in the history of Indian art. Miniature paintings are a blend of Islamic, Persian, and Indian elements. These paintings are created using all-natural mineral colours, precious stones, conch shells, gold, and silver. Across India, the miniature style painting has developed its own identity into distinct schools of miniature paintings like Kangra, Rajasthan, Malwa, Pahadi, Mughal, Deccan, etc. Gopal Prasad Sharma is an National award winning artist for miniature style artwork from India.
Gond Painting
Gond paintings are a series of arranged dots and dashes developed by the Gondi tribe of central India. The tribes used to recreate some famous epic mythological tales of histories to traditional songs and rituals with rich detailing and bright colours. Traditionally, the colours used for gond paintings were derived from natural resources like cow dung, plant sap, charcoal, coloured soil, mud, flowers, leaves, etc. With growing times, the Gond art has moved beyond being a tribal art style. Bhajju Shyam is a National award winning artist from Madhya Pradesh for this Gond style artwork.
Kerala Murals
Kerala mural paintings are the most unique art form and have deep spiritual roots depicting themes of Hindu mythologies, epics of the bye-gone era, classic tales of Krishna, and mystic forms of Shiva and Shakti. These traditional art styles are made up of bold strokes, and vivid colours. White, ochre-red, bluish-green, yellow-ochre, and pure colours are predominantly used in Kerala mural painting. Achutan Ramchandran Nair was honoured with Padma Bhushan for his outstanding Mural artwork contribution towards the art world. As one of the prominent classical paintings of India, Kerala murals showcase not only artistic excellence but also the cultural and spiritual heritage of the region.
Patachitra painting
Patachitra is a traditional art form from Odisha. Patachitra paintings are mostly derived from mythological and religious themes done beautifully with bold, strong outlines, vibrant colors like white, red yellow, and black with decorative borders. This artwork is admired by art lovers across the world and Sharat Kumar Sahu is an National Award winning Patachitra artist who traced this traditional artform internationally. Patachitra stands as a remarkable example of the historical paintings of India, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and spiritual narratives that define the region.
Pichwai painting
Picchwai artwork was made as wall hangings behind the main deity in Krishna temples in Nathdwara which narrates the stories related to Lord Krishna. Picchwais are the most colorful and intricate work concealed with symbolism in the artistic motifs. This devotional art practice is classified as traditional Hindu paintings and has been passed down through generations, serving as a fine example of spirituality expressed through art. Kalyan Mal Sahu, a national award recipient in 2011, is celebrated for his splendid contributions to Pichwai art, helping to preserve and promote this unique cultural heritage.
Conclusion
India’s artistic heritage is as diverse as its culture, with each traditional painting style reflecting the region's unique history and values. From the intricate details of Madhubani to the bold strokes of Tanjore, these art forms are not just expressions of creativity but also a testament to India’s rich cultural narrative. As you explore the different types of painting in India, you’ll uncover how each style carries its own legacy, techniques, and stories, offering a beautiful glimpse into the country's artistic soul. Embracing these art forms helps preserve a part of India’s cultural history while celebrating its timeless beauty.
