Malwa pioneered the art of miniature painting in Central India. Mandu is its earliest seat and the Mandu Kalpa-Sutra illustrations the earliest examples of its miniature paintings. Large protruding eyes, angular faces, men and women of moderate height, abundance of motifs and profusion of gold characterise these Kalpa-Sutra paintings. The Malwa artstyle had its other centres at Dhar, Ujjain, Narsinghpur and Narsinghgarh. Malwa inclined to narrative rendering of its themes. The Mandu Ragamala and Ramayana illustrations of 1634 A.D. not only depict the initial style of Indian miniature painting but are also excellent in execution, draftsmanship, color-scheme and stylistic merit. Malwa has rendered the legends of Bhagavata-Purana and the known Sanskrit love-lore of Amru-Shataka with great thematic thrust, accuracy of details and great elaboration. A small canvas often compartmentalized, each compartment housing one episode independently, bright basic colors, blend of folk elements and highly charged faces are the other attributes of Malwa miniatures.
Kalki – Tenth Avatar of Vishnu A blue-skinned lord with a double-pointed sword leads his ornately caparisoned horse through a jungle landscape. Monkeys, goats, and a tiger frolic in the trees above, while the undulating lines below suggest they are walking next to a river. The subject matter of this painting is unknown, but it […]
According to the Ramayana, Kumbhakarna, the terrifying giant and brother of Ravana, was causing great damage to the monkey army when Rama and Lakshmana entered the battle. Using magical arrows of great power, Rama severed Kumbhakarna’s limbs and filled his mouth with pointed steel shafts. The pathos of the demon’s defeat is emphasized by his
The Demon Kumbhakarna Is Defeated by Rama and Lakshmana Read More »
Krishna stealing butter and other Krishna Leela scenes, Malwa Style – Malwa has rendered the legends of Bhagavata-Purana and the known Sanskrit love lore of Amru-Shataka with great thematic thrust, accuracy of details and great elaboration. A small canvas often compartmentalised, each compartment housing one episode independently, bright basic colours, a blend of folk elements and
Krishna worshiping Mount Govardhan, Malwa, circa 1640-50 A.D., National Museum, New Delhi
Jain monk preaching to a king, Jain style, Mandu Kalpa-Sutra illustrations circa 1500-25 A.D., National Museum, New Delhi
Painting Name: Rama & Sita in the Hermitage of sage Atri & Anasuya, Style: Malwa, Period: circa 1660 A.D., National Museum, New Delhi
Rama & Sita in the Hermitage of sage Atri & Anasuya Read More »
Rama & golden deer Maricha a Malwa style miniature paiting. circa 1634-40 A.D., National Museum, New Delhi