The Legacy of Indian Art Forms

If you want to smell the essence of the types of Indian paintings' creativity at its best, India is like a vast ocean of art forms that have been beetling for centuries now. We are talking about the generations of artists here who have been nourishing creativity by hatching new ideas and following the conventional forms to continue the inheritance.

The western community has realized the art heritage of India and since long back art collectors and experts in the domain have been seeking the opportunity to buy Indian paintings online whenever they get a chance. I can bet that if you love art you would have definitely craved about Indian art forms more than once. Although a lot of these aesthetic art forms have been lost in time, a few of these appalling craftworks still exist. Since Indian art forms are so diverse, I am going precisely to the Indian folk art and its long legacy.

The elegance, grace, and exquisiteness of Indian folk art enable it to stand the test of time; even for thousands of years. These paintings are known to showcase the beauty of religious epics, Gods and Goddess mostly. Still, each one of them is unique, laudable, and peerless in its own way. Modernism has captivated a few of these forms of paintings and made them more mainstream, but there are few that still hold the original skill and reflection.

Let’s take a gander at the survivors of the Indian folk paintings that have stood long to entice the interest of art collectors:

Madhubani Painting

The origin of this form of painting goes back to the 7^th century! 7^th century, in Nepal, King Janak accredited the local painters to murals in the palace to celebrate his daughter Sita’s wedding to Ram. Yes, Madhubani paintings are said to be as old as the mythological story of Ramayana. Since then, these paintings became an inseparable part of the culture. Whenever a couple is married, artists used to craft these paintings on the wall of kohbar Ghar or the nuptial room.

Do not get judgemental even for a second that these paintings are not diverse. For example, paintings that have to depict fertility usually represent emblematic images of the fish, lotus plant, birds, snakes, and bamboo grove. Similarly, other representation themes did exist. But mostly, Madhubani art whirls around Hindu Gods such as Shiva, Rama, Sarswati, and Durga.

Mysore Painting

Coined in Vijayanagara School of Painting, this is an eminent South Indian classical form of art that consists of the depiction of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Revolving around the vistas of Hindu mythological legends, these famous artworks are surely going to compel you to buy Indian paintings. Art collectors across the globe are mesmerised by the elegance with which these paintings are crafted.

Although the provenance of the Mysore Paintings is said to be tracked back to the Ajanta era i.e. from 2^nd century BC to 7^th century BC, the art form is said to bloom in the times of Vijayanagara dynasty. The specimen of a lot of original forms were ravaged in battles and wars, still, with what’s left of its inheritance, Mysore painting will fill your hearts with pure devotion and humility.

Phad Painting

A timeless and nature rooted form of painting that has its origin in Rajasthan. These scroll artworks are carved on a long piece of fabric called Phad. Made on cloths with folds, Phad paintings will embellish your walls in miniature forms.

If you are one of those who gets aroused by the predominant usage of colours such as red, orange and yellow, then phad paintings will be an ideal choice for you. Conventionally speaking, these paintings were utilized as a mobile shrine for single priests called Bhopas. These paintings date back to thousands of years and depict Hindu deities such as Pabuji or Devnarayan. Phad paintings represent an appalling depiction of romance, adventure, battles, and richness of the princely states.

Kalighat Painting

Art collectors have been over-enthusiastic to buy Indian paintings and when it comes to folk art forms, there could be nothing better. Think about it yourself, didn’t you wanted to purchase something that signifies the simplicity of daily life? Kalighat paintings or Kalighat Pat are also known to present images of Hindu Gods and mythological characters. Originated in the 19^th century in Bengal, these paintings transformed the theme from devotion to social reform.

Artists in that era used to protest the autocracies of the British Empire with alluring, bold and simple drawings. Crafted to uplift the awareness about the social conditions, painters represented what’s wrong with the society in their artworks.