Why is it in the news?
→ Golden Temple engaged Kangra artists to restore a 200-year-old painting of Guru Gobind Singh using traditional methods.
→ Renewed focus on miniature painting traditions.
Category: History
Important Points
- Miniatures are small detailed works (≤25 sq inches) using tempera technique with natural pigments.
- Early schools: Pala (750–1150 AD), Apabhramsa (Gujarat–Mewar), Delhi Sultanate Indo-Persian style.
- Mughal miniatures flourished under Akbar (Tasvir Khana), Jahangir (naturalism; Ustad Mansoor), Shah Jahan (European influence).
- Rajput schools include Mewar, Kishangarh (Bani Thani by Nihal Chand), Bundi, Amber-Jaipur, Marwar.
- Pahari schools: Basholi; Guler–Kangra (Krishna themes); Kullu-Mandi.
- Company paintings blended Indian styles with European realism.
- Bengal School reacted against colonial art in early 20th century.