Rajput painting

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Rajput painting, a style of Indian painting, evolved and flourished during the 18th century in the royal courts of Rajputana, India. Each Rajput kingdom evolved a distinct style, but with certain common features. Rajput paintings depict a number of themes, events of epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Krishna’s life, beautiful landscapes, and humans. Miniatures were the preferred medium of Rajput painting, but several manuscripts also contain Rajput paintings, and paintings were even done on the walls of palaces, inner chambers of the forts, havelies, particularly, the havelis of Shekhawait.

The colours extracted from certain minerals, plant sources, conch shells, and were even derived by processing precious stones, gold and silver were used. The preparation of desired colours was a lengthy process, sometimes taking weeks. Brushes used were very fine.

[edit] Schools

Over a period of around 300 years, beginning from the 16th century, different schools of Rajput painting emerged, and notable among them are Mewar School, Bundi-Kota kalam, Jaipur school, Bikaner school, Kishengarh school, Marwar school, and Raagamala style of painting.