The turbulent medieval times saw an exodus of artists to the South. These artists were patronized by the regal houses over there and gradually, three distinct schools of art developed viz. Deccani Paintings, Mysore paintings and Tanjore Paintings. The miniature painting style, which flourished initially in the Bahmani court and later in the courts of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur and Golkonda, is popularly known as the Deccan school of Painting.

Main features

The colors of the Deccani schools paintings are rich and brilliant and are different from those of the northern painting.

Distinctive features of the Deccani paintings of the 18th and 19th centuries are observed in the treatment of the ethnic types, costumes, jewellery, flora, fauna, landscape and colours.

Notable Works

Ahmednagar painting: This school was patronized by Hussain Nizam Shah I of Ahmednagar. The important illustrated manuscript is “Tarif-i-Hussain Shahi“.

Bijapur Paintings: This school was patronized by Ali Adil Shah I (1558-80 A.D.) and his successor Ibrahim II (1580-1627 A.D.). Important and notable work is Najum-al-ulum (Stars of Sciences), which has as many as 400 miniature illustrations. The court of Sultan Ali Adil Shah I had Persian artists and that is why these paintings show profuse use of gold colour, some flowering plants and arabesques on the top of the throne, derived from the Persian tradition. The maximum number of miniature paintings was produced during the times of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II. It’s worth note that some paintings of Bijapur show influence of Lepakshi temple Murals, particularly in the depiction of the women.

Golconda Paintings: The patrons of the Golconda paintings were the Qutb Shahi rulers. The first important work was accomplished during the times of Muhammad Quli Qutab Shah (1580-1611). These paintings show the dancing girls entertaining the VIPs. The Qutb Shahi rulers had employed many Persian artists and so there is a profound impact of Iranian art on the Golconda miniature paintings. Two more notable paintings are the “Lady with the Myna bird” and the “Lady smoking Hooka”.

Hyderabad Style: The paintings in Hyderabad style developed after the foundation of Asafjahi dynasty by Chin Qulick Khan, Nizam-ul-Mulk in 1724. One example is a painting of “princes in the company of maids”. Typical characteristics of the Hyderabad painting like the rich colours, the Deccani facial types and costumes can be observed in the miniature. It belongs to the third quarter of the 18th century.

The following art terminologies for all the four subjects are prescribed only for reference and general enrichment. 1 Six limbs of Indian Painting Sadangas 2 Fundamentals of Visual Arts Elements Point, line, colour, tone, texture and space. Principles Unity, harmony, balance, rhythm, emphasis and proportion, 3 Drawing & Painting and materials Abstraction and stylization, Foreshortening, perspective, eye level, fixed point of view, Vanishing point, ratio-proportion, sketching, drawing light and shade, still- life, land-scape, anatomy, vertical, horizontal, two and three dimensional, transparent and opaque Paper (Cartridge, handmade canvas and Hard- board Handmade, ect.), Pencil, water colour, acrylic colour, transparent 4 Media of Composition Collage, Mosaic, Painting, Mural, Fresco, Batik Tie and Dye. 5 Sculpture Relief and round sculpture, modeling with clay, terra-cotta, carving in wood, stone, bronze casting, plaster of Paris and metal welding. 6 Graphics Linocut, relief printing, etching, Lithography, silk screen printing,. 7 Applied Art – Commercial Art Book cover design and illustration, cartoon, poster, Advertisements, newspaper and magazine, animation and printing processes, photography, computer-graphic, h

Cope paste the given link for pdf:

http://www.cbseacademic.nic.in/web_material/CurriculumMain21/SrSecondary/Fine_Arts_Sr.Sec_2020-21.pdf

1. Symbolic Paintings: Radha and Krishna have been shown in the form of soul and God. Radha and Krishna have been beautifully painted in all schools of Rajasthan.

2. Linear Beauty: Rhythmic and graceful lines have been used in all sub-schools of Rajasthan. The thin lines are full of softness in paintings.

3. Painting of literature: In literature Geet-Govind, Bhagwat Puran, Rag Mala, ‘Ragas and Raginis’ have been beautifully painted in Rajasthan Schools of Art.

4. Religious Themes: Religious themes based on Ramayana and Bhagwat Geeta has been beautifully painted. 8. Landscape or Seasons painting: Landscape has been beautifully painted in different seasons. Painting of ‘Barah Masa’ is the depiction of twelve months.

5. Effect of Folk Art: Folk Art is prominent in all Rajasthani painting.

6. Night Scenes: Night scenes are painted in very attractive way in which Black or Smoke grey colour, White colour and Yellow golden colours are used. Moon and stars have been painted in white colour.

This miniature has been painted very beautifully in Mughal style by Ramdas in 1590 AD. The theme of this painting is based on an episode of Akbar Nama. It was on the occasion on birth of Prince Salim the whole people of Fatehpur Sikri and courtiers played music and celebrating the occasion. Some of them playing drum, clarinet and other instruments. Some royal officials distributing bounty to the people of Fatehpur Sikri. It is a typical example of the later manner of Emperor’s court artists. The birth scene of the son of Akbar and heir on August 31st, 1569, forms the subject of the upper compartment into which the picture is divided, the other two being filled with musicians and servants, with the surging excited crowd outside. Beyond is a rocky landscape. The painting is a good example of the bustling movement and stress which Akbar’s painters often introduced into their work. Among other points of interest in the painting is that the upper portion is the typical bird’s eye view while for the lower panel the artist (Ramdas) is on a level with the scene depicted. The strong colour contrasts, and the marked European influence, especially in the scenery and apparel, are especially evident in this painting.