Miniature Paintings: Riches & Legacy of Indian Cultural Heritage

Abstract

Since time immortal (upper palaeolithic period) art and paintings have been a way to express the desires and emotions of an individual or group. In Indian context this expression of art form has a rich cultural heritage, as India is a melting pot of diverse forms of cultures and traditions, each having its own uniqueness in every aspect of life – food, rituals, ornaments, garments and art expression etc. 

Miniature paintings belong to the second phase of art form, basically drawn on leaves and barks of wood etc, used in epigraphy, manuscripts etc. These paintings are very small sized, artistic expression, having a configuration of 25 square inch (less than 100 cm²) and a ratio, not more than of 1/6 of the actual size. Examples include Tuti-nama and Hamza-nama etc. The art of miniature paintings in India draws its origin some 30,000 years in prehistoric and protohistoric times, and the best evidences can be witnessed from murals of Bhimbetka cave and Ajanta Ellora sites of Madhya Pradesh (2^nd – 5^th century B.C.). But its actual development could be traced as early as 9^th – 11^th century, where it became handy. This art developed in many forms and stages, that is closely associated with the ragas of Indian classical music, Gita Govind, mythologies, epics, khaka etc., in most of the paintings and depicting the side profile of human figures. 

The present study aims to recapitulate the treasures hidden and role played by the miniature paintings in our cultural legacy, as history is not only associated with blood shed, wars, kings etc., but it also takes us long way back to the history of its people, from savagery towards civilizations