Different types of paintings in India

India is the land of diversity. Just like it cultural and lingual diversities. India holds a rich heritage of various types of paintings. Paintings have been an important part of Indian civilization for centuries. The amazing fact is Indian artists have beautifully continued the practice of all these kinds of paintings even today. At exhibit art, 

we try to uphold these rich Indian art form which are perfect examples of artistic expression through simple yet distinct compositions to the mass.

In India, the indigenous painting form includes various kinds like traditional, religious, nature and landscape etc.

Apart from the wildlife and natural genre of paintings, Indian paintingshave a huge collection of traditional and religious paintings. Another type of painting is the historical genre. Painters and artists of different province and kingdoms have painted various paintings reflecting the local culture and practices. They often have an influence of the then rulers as well. 

Over the years these paintings have become important historical sources and artefacts. These types of paintings include forms like Madhubani Painting, Miniature Painting, Mughal Painting, Tanjore Painting, Kalighat painting, Rajput Painting etc Other than these, there are Phad, Warli, Gond and Kalamkari paintings- indigenous paintings that have survived years.

Miniature Paintings- this painting form has humans portrayed with large eyes, a pointed nose and a slim waist. The men in a turban are its signature style.

Rajput paintings -this kind paintings on the other hand mainly depict various stories of the Indian epics like Mahabharat and Ramayana. Occasional use of even real gold and silver as colour gave them a sense of royalty and grandeur.

Madhubani Paintings- Colour blocking and sharp with geometric prints and patterns got were popular during the period of advent and development of the Madhubani Paintings. Floral colours added to its aesthetics.

Kalighat paintings- the Kalighat paintings is the painting form developed during the British rule. It had a strong reflection of protests by the Indians against the British. Use of cheap paper, colour and excellent strokes with squirrel brushes gave these paintings a bold outlook.

Mughal Painting- The Mughal school of paintings was a prominent contributor to Indian painting styles, where hundreds of eminent painters from all over the country developed this indigenous art form. These paintings mainly have the Mughal styles and influences. The taste of the emperors was highly reflected in this form of painting.

Tanjore Painting- this painting style developed mainly in the Tanjore or Thanjavur regions of South India. These paintings denote their individuality in its use of gold foil, giving the painting a surreal appearance. These paintings have the influence of European styles to some extent.

Influence of religion on Indian painting styles

Religious paintings have been a part of Indian painters’ collection for centuries as well. Ganesha paintings, Durga paintings, Krishna paintings, Lakshmi paintings and Shiva paintings are popular even today. Be it Ganesh Chaturthi, Navaratri, Diwali or any other festival they are highly looked for during any festive occasion.

Ganesha paintings- they have been a favourite of all due to the popularity and religious aspect of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is the god of prosperity according to Hindu religion, is being widely worshipped. For this reason, Ganesha paintings have always been a popular gifting choice for many occasion.

Krishna paintings- the Krishna paintings along with the Pichwai paintings tell us the stories of Lord Krishna and Radha. They have been popular for ages.

Folk art forms as paintings-

 Several folk artists have developed various individual painting styles based on their local culture and practices. Some of the most popular among these are Phad, Gond, Warli and Kalamkari.

Phad- this Rajasthani painting style is drawn mainly using a long canvas about 30 feet of folk deities and their heroic deeds coloured with vegetable colours.

Gond paintings- Gond paintings, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, on the other hand, make use of small lines and dots for creating delicate details.

Warli- Developed in the Western ghat this folk painting style is one of the most unique styles of indigenous painting where the use of geometric shapes like circles and triangles are predominant. This style has its unique human figure of a circle and two triangles. They are almost everywhere drawn in red ochre or dark background, while the shapes are white in colour.

Kalamkari paintings- these paintings are free-flowing paintings drawn mainly with a pen. They portray mainly flora and fauna.

Indian artists use various medium for their work. All the paintings are done on canvas or paper using oil colours, water colours or even acrylic paints.

Oil paintings, acrylic paintings and watercolour paintings have been equally practised and praised India.

Abstract or the modern art has also emerged and developed itself in India. The youth has chosen this genre of painting as their medium of protest and demands in many cases for years.

Exhibit art encourages all Indian artists to showcase their work to all in order to facilitate trade and development of art. Exhibit art holds a huge collection of different types of paintings in India for one to choose from.