Kangra painting

The artistry of Kangra paintings was significantly advanced by Nainsukh and Manaku, sons of Pandit Seu, a painter from the Guler state.A group of artists, including Manku, Khushala, Kishan Lal, Basia, Purkhoo, and Fatoo, played important roles in the development and proliferation of this art form between the 18th and 19th centuries.[9] Nainsukh (1710–1778), succeeded by two generations of his family workshop, introduced a distinctive style that combined Mughal elements with personal innovations.Noted as a generous patron, the painters working at his atelier received large commissions while others accepted a permanent settlement in the form of lands.In 2022, during a visit to the United States, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi gifted Kangra miniature paintings to US President Joe Biden.Bhakti cult was the driving force and the love story of Radha and Krishna was the main source of spiritual experience, which was also the base for the visual expression.Bhagavata Purana and the love poems Gita Govinda by Jayadeva were the most popular subjects dealing with the legends and the amorous plays of Radha and Krishna symbolizing the soul’s devotion to God.Krishna subjects, known commonly as Krishna-Lila predominate, while the themes of love, inspired by the Nayaks and nayikas and baramasa enjoyed great favor.Kangra paintings influenced by the Bhagavad Purana portrayed incidents from the life of the young Krishna, against the Brindavan forest or river Yamuna.The person in charge of developing this centre was Chandu Lal Raina, an exponent of Kangra painting and a descendant of Pandit Seu and Nainsukh.[13][18] Project Srijan is an initiative that aims to preserve and promote traditional Kangra art by digitizing and making it accessible online, thereby broadening its reach.
The Gods Sing and Dance for Shiva and Parvati , attributed to Khushala , son of Manaku . Kangra , c. 1780-1790. Philadelphia Museum of Art
Raja Balwant Singh’s Vision of Krishna and Radha by Nainsukh . Jasrota , c. 1745-1750. Metropolitan Museum of Art
Rama and Sita in the forest . Kangra, c. 1780. Kronos Collections
A woman preparing a meal . Kangra, c. 1810. Chester Beatty Library
ManakuKangraPhiladelphia Museum of Artpictorial artKangra Stateprincely stateHimachal PradeshBasohli school of paintingPahari paintingGeographical Indication of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999BasohliChambaNurpurBilaspurNalagarhTehri GarhwalMola RamRajputMaharaja Sansar ChandReitberg MuseumZurichBoston MuseumNainsukhJasrotaMetropolitan Museum of ArtGuler StateMughal paintingPandit SeuMaharaja Sansar Chand KatochKrishnaIndian prime ministerNarendra ModiUS PresidentJoe BidenShringara rasaBhaktiBhagavata PuranaGita GovindaJayadevaSansar ChandChester Beatty Librarydigital paintingsGovernment of Himachal PradeshGovernment of IndiaHimachal Pradesh governmentRait villageKangriGautam Sharma 'Vyathit'DharamshalaRajput PaintingBasohli PaintingIndian paintingMadhubani paintingSikh paintingWayback MachineBritannica.com