Arts Of India

Deccan always surprises you in different ways. It has its natural beauty with greens and blues, outstanding rock-cut temples, exciting handcrafts and beautiful cultural heritage. Many art enthusiasts visit the southern parts of India every year to explore the beauty of civilisations and enriched cultures. Like Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, and Kathakali dance, various crafts and painting styles are also famous in South India. Kinnala is one of the most famous crafts in the  Deccan land . Kinnala is a relatively unique ancient Indian art which dates back to the 15th to  16th century CE . This uncommon art form came from the village of Kinhal in the Koppal district, Karnataka. If you want to explore different types of Indian art as well as handcrafts, then Kinnala must be on your list. Natural raw materials and unique methods make the craft interesting for art enthusiasts. Kinnala craft can give you the  essence of the Vijayanagar Emperor  and the idea of an artistic lineag...

The north-eastern state of Meghalaya is home to a variety of beautiful handicrafts; major ones being weaving (carpets, textiles, baskets, ornaments) and woodcarving. An important aspect of both Meghalaya’s culture and the tourism sector, it is done by the three tribal communities in Meghalaya - Garo, Khasi and Jaintia - all of whom have their own style and kind of craft-making. Cane mats, winnowing fans, umbrellas, caps, stools and baskets are some of the things that the craftspeople in Meghalaya produce. History The Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia communities are believed to have migrated to Meghalaya from southeast Asia. Owing to the abundance of bamboo in the region, these crafts emerged one by one. Wood crafts are not used for trade; they are a motif of artistic, decorative, and ceremonial value. The craftwork is intricately made and is very beautiful to look at, and as such has received recognition in both India and abroad. Making products from cane and bamboo has become the prime occupa...

Masan painting is a primordial artform that is found to be practiced mainly in northern West Bengal and northern Bangladesh including some parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, and eastern Nepal. The word Masan is derived from the word  “ Shashan ”  which is the Bengali of the Hindu cremation ground. Masan art, also known as  Masan chitrakala , is mainly practiced by the  Rajbangshi  (Rajbonshi) tribe in Bengal and it has high cultural and religious importance in the lives of the Rajbangshi community.  History and Development of Masan Painting The practice of Masan artform is linked to worship of  Masan Devta,  the roots of which can be traced back to the spread of the ancient  Bon  religion of Tibet in North Bengal and North Eastern India. It was a branch of  Tantrik   Buddhism  where the deities were to be worshipped near a crematorium.  In the earlier days, due to the absence of modern technologies and education among ...

The culture, traditions, and history of  INDIA  are extremely fascinating. India has earned huge respect and appreciation from all over the world for its unique art forms.  CHITRAKATHI PAINTING is one  of the richest, traditional and special art forms of  MAHARASHTRA.  Practiced by the  Thakar   tribal community  this art form is almost extinct in Maharashtra. At present few families in the Pinguli village near Kudal practice this art form which is located in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. A group of migrating storytellers, CHITRAKATHI artists are found in  MAHARASHTRA  and in some parts of  KARNATAKA AND ANDHRA PRADESH. ART  and  STORYTELLING  combine to form  CHITRAKATHI.  HISTORY AND ORIGIN OF CHITRAKATHI PAINTING : CHITRAKATHI PAINTING is believed  to have evolved around the 17-18th century.  CHITRAKATHI  is divided into two parts  CHITRA  meaning  ‘PICTURE’...

We are all familiar with the Hindu Deity  Lord Krishna.  He is one of the most beloved Gods worshiped by billions of Indians. Every year festivals like  Janmasthami  and  Holi  are celebrated and enjoyed by people throughout the country in his honor. But worshippers don’t just celebrate or pray. They have different ways to express their devotion. Some pray, some sing songs and dance. Today we are going to learn about something unique. Our ancestors found a very engaging way to keep themselves busy and offer their prayers at the same time, in the form of art known as  Sanjhi Art .  History and Origin Uttar Pradesh is a land that is rich in cultural heritage. It is the birthplace of Lord  Shri Ram  and  Krishna,  and hence it is also the birthplace of the art form known as  Sanjhi. The word  Sanjhi  is derived from two Hindi words- ‘ sajja’  meaning decoration and ‘ saanjh’  meaning dusk. Here dusk is sig...

Assam, the heart of the seven sister states of the North-East, has a rich history of painting and craftsmanship. Assam also houses a rich legacy of paintings that dates back to the  7th century CE . Renowned for their unmatched mastery of outstanding strokes, the Assamese paintings are the source of inspiration to thousands of art enthusiasts across the globe. History of Assamese Manuscript Paintings The earliest mention of  Assamese Manuscript Painting  was found in the account of Chinese traveller  Xuanzang , who had stated about the gifts sent to  Harshavardhana , the King of Magadha from  Bhaskaravarma , the King of Kamarupa (modern Assam) which included paintings and painted objects on Assamese silk. Other than these, the painted manuscripts of the middle ages had traditional paintings on them based on stories from  Hasthividyarnava , the  Chitra Bhagawata  and  Geet Govinda.  Assamese Miniature Paintings on the Manuscripts The...