TRADITIONAL ART

'Epic Centuries of Indian Art', presented by Visual Art, is an enticing collection of traditional and tribal paintings from India. These colourful works are virtual showcases of the lives, legends and inspiration of their creators. Rooted in tradition, they have become the precious livelihood of these artists. The exhibition, that runs from 29 April - 16 May 2004 is organised in the following manner: Tanjore Old/New Paintings, Nathwara Collection, Mewar School, Miniature Paintings: Old and New, Madhubani Paintings, Warli paintings, Kalighat Paintings, Lithographs: Raja Ravi Varma, and established artists of more recent years: A W Chughtai, B G Sharma and Yusuf Gori.

MADHUBANI PAINTINGS

Many Brahmin and Kayasth women of the Madhubani district (Bihar) are particularly accomplished, decorating houses for marriages and feasts with bright, lively deities, most popularly Krishna and his beloved Radha. The form of each figure is a highly stylised profile of the face and feet whilst the body often faces the viewer. Characteristically, the outlines are drawn as a double line with diagonal hatching between them. During the Bihar famine of 1964-65 some of these women began to reproduce their pictures on paper.

MINIATURE PAINTINGS

Miniature paintings were a classical art form practised in Indian at the time of the Mughals and before them. It still thrives, but in a more commercialised version in Rajasthan as a souvenir craft. Various styles of miniature paintings like those that flourished in the Punjab foothills viz Chamba and Kangra, those practised in the Rajput courts like Bundi, Kota, and Kishangarh along with the Mughal style in Delhi.

TANJORE PAINTINGS

In Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) a single family preserves an individual school of painting, which, whilst integrating foreign elements, continues an old tradition expressed in an original technique. Thin cardboard is glued onto a board of pilla wood, and over this a sheet of calico. On this surface a paste of gum made from ground tamarind seeds and powdered stone is spread. When this is dry the outline of a picture is sketched in crayon.

PICHWAI PAINTINGS

Nathdwara (Rajasthan) is famous for its pichwai, which are large paintings on cloth portraying Sir Nathji, a powerful icon of Krishna clad in his various costumes, as well as miniatures on paper of card. Most are, as they always were, low-quality cheap souvenirs. The style probably developed soon after the idol, fleeing iconoclasts, reached its present home.

WARLI TRIBAL

The murals of the Warli tribals of the coastal region of southern Gujarat and northern Maharashtra are also now commercially painted, often executed on specially prepared softboard. Typically, these pictures show multitudes of tiny human forms, hunting, dancing or cultivating the land. They rely more on line than colour, usually being drawn in white rice paste to prepare for specific festivals or family events.

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