Textbook: History of Indian Arts | History and Political Science Class 10 (Maharashtra Board) PDF Download

 Page 1


22
4. History of Indian Arts 
4.1 What is ‘Art’?
4.2 Indian Traditions of Visual Arts
4.3 Indian traditions of Performing Arts
4.4 Art, Applied Art and Professional 
Opportunities
4.1 What is Art ?
It is a natural human instinct to want 
to share his experience, wisdom, and also 
emotions.  When that instinct results in a 
beautiful creation, it is acknowledged as 
‘Art’. The artist’s power of imagination, 
sensibility, state of emotion and his skills 
are the crucial factors at the root of 
artistic creation.
Visual Arts and Performing Arts  : 
Artistic creations are of two types, ‘Visual 
Arts’ and ‘Performing Arts’. The Sanskrit 
term for the first type is Drik Kala and for 
the second type, Lalit or Aangik Kala. Many 
examples of Prehistoric rock art have been 
discovered at many sites in the world. It 
proves that the origin of visual arts is as 
old as the stone-age man.
Folk Arts and Classical Arts :  There 
are two distinct traditions of art, ‘Folk Art’ 
and ‘Classical Art’. Folk art is a tradition 
that has continued from the prehistoric 
times. The expression of folk art is a 
natural part of people’s way of living. 
Hence its expression is spontaneous. Folk 
art is created by collective participation of 
the members of a social group. Classical 
art, on the other hand, is expressed within 
an established frame of consistent rules. It 
needs a prolonged training to master any 
form of classical art.
Style in Art  : Artists tend to have 
their own method of working. It is known 
as the style of the artist. When a style is 
adopted by many artists over a prolonged 
period of time, it may become a tradition. 
Such tradition gets established as an ‘art 
style’. Various art styles develop in every 
culture, which are characteristic of a 
certain period and region. Such styles are 
helpful in studying art history.
4.2 Indian Traditions of Visual Arts 
(Drik Kala)
The art of painting and sculpting are 
visual arts.
Maratha Style of Painting : Maratha paintings is 
an example of art style. The style known as Maratha 
paintings began to develop in the latter half of the 
17th century C.E. This style consists of coloured 
paintings and they occur as murals and also miniatures 
used in manuscripts. Murals of Maratha style can be 
seen in the old wadas at places like Wai, Menavali 
and Satara in Maharashtra. The Maratha style was 
influenced by the Rajput and European styles of 
painting.
Painting styles help us in understanding various 
things about the times in which it was developed such 
as the life style, attires, customs, etc. 
Page 2


22
4. History of Indian Arts 
4.1 What is ‘Art’?
4.2 Indian Traditions of Visual Arts
4.3 Indian traditions of Performing Arts
4.4 Art, Applied Art and Professional 
Opportunities
4.1 What is Art ?
It is a natural human instinct to want 
to share his experience, wisdom, and also 
emotions.  When that instinct results in a 
beautiful creation, it is acknowledged as 
‘Art’. The artist’s power of imagination, 
sensibility, state of emotion and his skills 
are the crucial factors at the root of 
artistic creation.
Visual Arts and Performing Arts  : 
Artistic creations are of two types, ‘Visual 
Arts’ and ‘Performing Arts’. The Sanskrit 
term for the first type is Drik Kala and for 
the second type, Lalit or Aangik Kala. Many 
examples of Prehistoric rock art have been 
discovered at many sites in the world. It 
proves that the origin of visual arts is as 
old as the stone-age man.
Folk Arts and Classical Arts :  There 
are two distinct traditions of art, ‘Folk Art’ 
and ‘Classical Art’. Folk art is a tradition 
that has continued from the prehistoric 
times. The expression of folk art is a 
natural part of people’s way of living. 
Hence its expression is spontaneous. Folk 
art is created by collective participation of 
the members of a social group. Classical 
art, on the other hand, is expressed within 
an established frame of consistent rules. It 
needs a prolonged training to master any 
form of classical art.
Style in Art  : Artists tend to have 
their own method of working. It is known 
as the style of the artist. When a style is 
adopted by many artists over a prolonged 
period of time, it may become a tradition. 
Such tradition gets established as an ‘art 
style’. Various art styles develop in every 
culture, which are characteristic of a 
certain period and region. Such styles are 
helpful in studying art history.
4.2 Indian Traditions of Visual Arts 
(Drik Kala)
The art of painting and sculpting are 
visual arts.
Maratha Style of Painting : Maratha paintings is 
an example of art style. The style known as Maratha 
paintings began to develop in the latter half of the 
17th century C.E. This style consists of coloured 
paintings and they occur as murals and also miniatures 
used in manuscripts. Murals of Maratha style can be 
seen in the old wadas at places like Wai, Menavali 
and Satara in Maharashtra. The Maratha style was 
influenced by the Rajput and European styles of 
painting.
Painting styles help us in understanding various 
things about the times in which it was developed such 
as the life style, attires, customs, etc. 
23
Art of Painting : Paintings are two 
dimensional, for 
example, sketches or 
paintings of nature, 
objects and individuals. 
They are done on 
various surfaces, such 
as rocks, walls, papers, 
canvas of different 
types and earthen pots. 
The mural of 
Bodhisattva at Ajanta 
caves is one of the 
finest examples of the art of painting.
Folk styles of Paintings : Rock 
paintings dating to stone ages have been 
discovered in many countries. 
In India, there are rock painting sites 
in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar 
Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, 
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The rock 
paintings in the caves at Bhimbetka are 
famous. Bhimbetka is a World Heritage 
site.
Rock paintings usually depict human, 
animal and geometric figures. However, the 
style of rock paintings seems to be changing 
according to the cultural changes from 
stone ages to the beginning of agriculture. 
The change is visible in the depiction of 
flora and fauna or it may be evident in the 
style of portraying various figures and also 
in the colours that were used. Black, red 
and white colours were used in the rock 
paintings, which were made from natural 
substances. With the help of rock paintings 
we can understand the knowledge of ancient 
people about their natural surroundings and 
also the way they exploited available 
natural resources.
The tradition of folk style of paintings 
closely resembles the style of rock paintings. 
Customs such as decorating the house 
walls and courtyards (Rangawali) by 
drawing various figures and symbols or 
using panels of paintings to narrate stories 
helped to develop regional styles of folk 
paintings.
The tradition of Chitrakathi (???????) 
is mentioned in ‘Manasollas’, or 
Abhilashitartha Chintamani a book 
written by the Chalukya king Someshvara 
in the 12th century C.E.  It confirms the 
antiquity of this tradition. The tradition 
of narrating stories from Ramayana or 
Mahabharata with the help of wooden 
The mural of 
Bodhisattva 
Padmapani
Do you know ?
The traditions of Warli painting and 
Pingul or chitrakathi (???????) in 
Maharashtra are among the finest 
examples of folk style of paintings. Jivya 
Somya Mashe, the artist in Thane district 
has played a great role in making the 
Warli style of paintings very popular. He 
has been honoured with a number of 
national and international awards for his 
paintings.  In the year 2011, he was 
awarded ‘Padmashree’.
It is interesting to know : 
Page 3


22
4. History of Indian Arts 
4.1 What is ‘Art’?
4.2 Indian Traditions of Visual Arts
4.3 Indian traditions of Performing Arts
4.4 Art, Applied Art and Professional 
Opportunities
4.1 What is Art ?
It is a natural human instinct to want 
to share his experience, wisdom, and also 
emotions.  When that instinct results in a 
beautiful creation, it is acknowledged as 
‘Art’. The artist’s power of imagination, 
sensibility, state of emotion and his skills 
are the crucial factors at the root of 
artistic creation.
Visual Arts and Performing Arts  : 
Artistic creations are of two types, ‘Visual 
Arts’ and ‘Performing Arts’. The Sanskrit 
term for the first type is Drik Kala and for 
the second type, Lalit or Aangik Kala. Many 
examples of Prehistoric rock art have been 
discovered at many sites in the world. It 
proves that the origin of visual arts is as 
old as the stone-age man.
Folk Arts and Classical Arts :  There 
are two distinct traditions of art, ‘Folk Art’ 
and ‘Classical Art’. Folk art is a tradition 
that has continued from the prehistoric 
times. The expression of folk art is a 
natural part of people’s way of living. 
Hence its expression is spontaneous. Folk 
art is created by collective participation of 
the members of a social group. Classical 
art, on the other hand, is expressed within 
an established frame of consistent rules. It 
needs a prolonged training to master any 
form of classical art.
Style in Art  : Artists tend to have 
their own method of working. It is known 
as the style of the artist. When a style is 
adopted by many artists over a prolonged 
period of time, it may become a tradition. 
Such tradition gets established as an ‘art 
style’. Various art styles develop in every 
culture, which are characteristic of a 
certain period and region. Such styles are 
helpful in studying art history.
4.2 Indian Traditions of Visual Arts 
(Drik Kala)
The art of painting and sculpting are 
visual arts.
Maratha Style of Painting : Maratha paintings is 
an example of art style. The style known as Maratha 
paintings began to develop in the latter half of the 
17th century C.E. This style consists of coloured 
paintings and they occur as murals and also miniatures 
used in manuscripts. Murals of Maratha style can be 
seen in the old wadas at places like Wai, Menavali 
and Satara in Maharashtra. The Maratha style was 
influenced by the Rajput and European styles of 
painting.
Painting styles help us in understanding various 
things about the times in which it was developed such 
as the life style, attires, customs, etc. 
23
Art of Painting : Paintings are two 
dimensional, for 
example, sketches or 
paintings of nature, 
objects and individuals. 
They are done on 
various surfaces, such 
as rocks, walls, papers, 
canvas of different 
types and earthen pots. 
The mural of 
Bodhisattva at Ajanta 
caves is one of the 
finest examples of the art of painting.
Folk styles of Paintings : Rock 
paintings dating to stone ages have been 
discovered in many countries. 
In India, there are rock painting sites 
in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar 
Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, 
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The rock 
paintings in the caves at Bhimbetka are 
famous. Bhimbetka is a World Heritage 
site.
Rock paintings usually depict human, 
animal and geometric figures. However, the 
style of rock paintings seems to be changing 
according to the cultural changes from 
stone ages to the beginning of agriculture. 
The change is visible in the depiction of 
flora and fauna or it may be evident in the 
style of portraying various figures and also 
in the colours that were used. Black, red 
and white colours were used in the rock 
paintings, which were made from natural 
substances. With the help of rock paintings 
we can understand the knowledge of ancient 
people about their natural surroundings and 
also the way they exploited available 
natural resources.
The tradition of folk style of paintings 
closely resembles the style of rock paintings. 
Customs such as decorating the house 
walls and courtyards (Rangawali) by 
drawing various figures and symbols or 
using panels of paintings to narrate stories 
helped to develop regional styles of folk 
paintings.
The tradition of Chitrakathi (???????) 
is mentioned in ‘Manasollas’, or 
Abhilashitartha Chintamani a book 
written by the Chalukya king Someshvara 
in the 12th century C.E.  It confirms the 
antiquity of this tradition. The tradition 
of narrating stories from Ramayana or 
Mahabharata with the help of wooden 
The mural of 
Bodhisattva 
Padmapani
Do you know ?
The traditions of Warli painting and 
Pingul or chitrakathi (???????) in 
Maharashtra are among the finest 
examples of folk style of paintings. Jivya 
Somya Mashe, the artist in Thane district 
has played a great role in making the 
Warli style of paintings very popular. He 
has been honoured with a number of 
national and international awards for his 
paintings.  In the year 2011, he was 
awarded ‘Padmashree’.
It is interesting to know : 
24
Classical Styles of Painting : The 
ancient Indian texts have explained various 
aspects of arts in great details. There are 
altogether 64 arts mentioned in these texts. 
The art of painting is mentioned as alekhyam 
or alekhya vidya in these. 
It is said to have six main aspects 
(Shadange). The ancient Indian scholars 
studied these six aspects very minutely. 
They include : Roopbheda  (Different 
shapes and forms), Pramana (Proportionate 
depiction of various features of an image), 
Bhava (Expressions), Lavanyayojana 
(Aesthetics), Sadrushyata (A resemblance 
to reality), Varnikabhang (Colour 
composition).
Agama texts of various religious sects, 
Puranas, and Vastushastra texts explain 
the arts of painting and sculpting in the 
context of temple architecture.
Miniature Paintings in Manuscripts :  The miniature paintings in the early 
manuscripts show an influence of Persian 
style. The Deccan miniature style was 
developed under the patronage of the 
Deccan Sultanates. During the reign of 
Akbar, the Mughal emperor, the Mughal 
miniature style 
showing a blend of 
Indian and Persian 
styles was 
developed.
Western Style 
of Painting : In the 
British period Indian 
artists came under 
the influence of 
European style of 
painting.  An art 
school was established under the leadership 
of James Wales, a Scottish artist, in the 
times of Savai 
Madhavrao Peshwe 
in Shaniwar Wada 
in Pune. He had 
done a portrait of 
Savai Madhavrao 
and Nana 
Phadnavis.  
Gagaram Tambat, a 
marathi artist who 
worked with Wales 
deserves a special 
mention here. He 
puppets and paintings is known as, 
Chitrakathi or Pinguli tradition. The 
Chitrakathi pictures are drawn on a 
paper and painted in colours made 
from natural substances. It takes 30-
50 pictures to complete the narration 
of a single story. These pictures are 
preserved very carefully and handed 
down from one generation to another. 
The artists and the government are 
trying to preserve the tradition, which 
is on the verge of extinction.
Mughal Miniature
Savai Madhavrao and 
Nana Phadnavis
Gangaram Tambat with his Guru
had made drawings of the rock-cut caves 
at Verul and Karle. Some of his drawings 
are preserved in the Yale Centre of British 
Art of Yale University.
Exact portrayal of the object of the 
painting is characteristic of the European 
Page 4


22
4. History of Indian Arts 
4.1 What is ‘Art’?
4.2 Indian Traditions of Visual Arts
4.3 Indian traditions of Performing Arts
4.4 Art, Applied Art and Professional 
Opportunities
4.1 What is Art ?
It is a natural human instinct to want 
to share his experience, wisdom, and also 
emotions.  When that instinct results in a 
beautiful creation, it is acknowledged as 
‘Art’. The artist’s power of imagination, 
sensibility, state of emotion and his skills 
are the crucial factors at the root of 
artistic creation.
Visual Arts and Performing Arts  : 
Artistic creations are of two types, ‘Visual 
Arts’ and ‘Performing Arts’. The Sanskrit 
term for the first type is Drik Kala and for 
the second type, Lalit or Aangik Kala. Many 
examples of Prehistoric rock art have been 
discovered at many sites in the world. It 
proves that the origin of visual arts is as 
old as the stone-age man.
Folk Arts and Classical Arts :  There 
are two distinct traditions of art, ‘Folk Art’ 
and ‘Classical Art’. Folk art is a tradition 
that has continued from the prehistoric 
times. The expression of folk art is a 
natural part of people’s way of living. 
Hence its expression is spontaneous. Folk 
art is created by collective participation of 
the members of a social group. Classical 
art, on the other hand, is expressed within 
an established frame of consistent rules. It 
needs a prolonged training to master any 
form of classical art.
Style in Art  : Artists tend to have 
their own method of working. It is known 
as the style of the artist. When a style is 
adopted by many artists over a prolonged 
period of time, it may become a tradition. 
Such tradition gets established as an ‘art 
style’. Various art styles develop in every 
culture, which are characteristic of a 
certain period and region. Such styles are 
helpful in studying art history.
4.2 Indian Traditions of Visual Arts 
(Drik Kala)
The art of painting and sculpting are 
visual arts.
Maratha Style of Painting : Maratha paintings is 
an example of art style. The style known as Maratha 
paintings began to develop in the latter half of the 
17th century C.E. This style consists of coloured 
paintings and they occur as murals and also miniatures 
used in manuscripts. Murals of Maratha style can be 
seen in the old wadas at places like Wai, Menavali 
and Satara in Maharashtra. The Maratha style was 
influenced by the Rajput and European styles of 
painting.
Painting styles help us in understanding various 
things about the times in which it was developed such 
as the life style, attires, customs, etc. 
23
Art of Painting : Paintings are two 
dimensional, for 
example, sketches or 
paintings of nature, 
objects and individuals. 
They are done on 
various surfaces, such 
as rocks, walls, papers, 
canvas of different 
types and earthen pots. 
The mural of 
Bodhisattva at Ajanta 
caves is one of the 
finest examples of the art of painting.
Folk styles of Paintings : Rock 
paintings dating to stone ages have been 
discovered in many countries. 
In India, there are rock painting sites 
in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar 
Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, 
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The rock 
paintings in the caves at Bhimbetka are 
famous. Bhimbetka is a World Heritage 
site.
Rock paintings usually depict human, 
animal and geometric figures. However, the 
style of rock paintings seems to be changing 
according to the cultural changes from 
stone ages to the beginning of agriculture. 
The change is visible in the depiction of 
flora and fauna or it may be evident in the 
style of portraying various figures and also 
in the colours that were used. Black, red 
and white colours were used in the rock 
paintings, which were made from natural 
substances. With the help of rock paintings 
we can understand the knowledge of ancient 
people about their natural surroundings and 
also the way they exploited available 
natural resources.
The tradition of folk style of paintings 
closely resembles the style of rock paintings. 
Customs such as decorating the house 
walls and courtyards (Rangawali) by 
drawing various figures and symbols or 
using panels of paintings to narrate stories 
helped to develop regional styles of folk 
paintings.
The tradition of Chitrakathi (???????) 
is mentioned in ‘Manasollas’, or 
Abhilashitartha Chintamani a book 
written by the Chalukya king Someshvara 
in the 12th century C.E.  It confirms the 
antiquity of this tradition. The tradition 
of narrating stories from Ramayana or 
Mahabharata with the help of wooden 
The mural of 
Bodhisattva 
Padmapani
Do you know ?
The traditions of Warli painting and 
Pingul or chitrakathi (???????) in 
Maharashtra are among the finest 
examples of folk style of paintings. Jivya 
Somya Mashe, the artist in Thane district 
has played a great role in making the 
Warli style of paintings very popular. He 
has been honoured with a number of 
national and international awards for his 
paintings.  In the year 2011, he was 
awarded ‘Padmashree’.
It is interesting to know : 
24
Classical Styles of Painting : The 
ancient Indian texts have explained various 
aspects of arts in great details. There are 
altogether 64 arts mentioned in these texts. 
The art of painting is mentioned as alekhyam 
or alekhya vidya in these. 
It is said to have six main aspects 
(Shadange). The ancient Indian scholars 
studied these six aspects very minutely. 
They include : Roopbheda  (Different 
shapes and forms), Pramana (Proportionate 
depiction of various features of an image), 
Bhava (Expressions), Lavanyayojana 
(Aesthetics), Sadrushyata (A resemblance 
to reality), Varnikabhang (Colour 
composition).
Agama texts of various religious sects, 
Puranas, and Vastushastra texts explain 
the arts of painting and sculpting in the 
context of temple architecture.
Miniature Paintings in Manuscripts :  The miniature paintings in the early 
manuscripts show an influence of Persian 
style. The Deccan miniature style was 
developed under the patronage of the 
Deccan Sultanates. During the reign of 
Akbar, the Mughal emperor, the Mughal 
miniature style 
showing a blend of 
Indian and Persian 
styles was 
developed.
Western Style 
of Painting : In the 
British period Indian 
artists came under 
the influence of 
European style of 
painting.  An art 
school was established under the leadership 
of James Wales, a Scottish artist, in the 
times of Savai 
Madhavrao Peshwe 
in Shaniwar Wada 
in Pune. He had 
done a portrait of 
Savai Madhavrao 
and Nana 
Phadnavis.  
Gagaram Tambat, a 
marathi artist who 
worked with Wales 
deserves a special 
mention here. He 
puppets and paintings is known as, 
Chitrakathi or Pinguli tradition. The 
Chitrakathi pictures are drawn on a 
paper and painted in colours made 
from natural substances. It takes 30-
50 pictures to complete the narration 
of a single story. These pictures are 
preserved very carefully and handed 
down from one generation to another. 
The artists and the government are 
trying to preserve the tradition, which 
is on the verge of extinction.
Mughal Miniature
Savai Madhavrao and 
Nana Phadnavis
Gangaram Tambat with his Guru
had made drawings of the rock-cut caves 
at Verul and Karle. Some of his drawings 
are preserved in the Yale Centre of British 
Art of Yale University.
Exact portrayal of the object of the 
painting is characteristic of the European 
25
style. A number of renowned artists were 
trained in the J. J. School of Art and 
Industry, which was established in 1857 
C.E., offering courses in European style of 
painting. Pestonji Bomanji, an alumni of 
this school made replicas of Ajanta paintings.
Sculptural Art :  Sculptures are three 
dimensional, such as images, statues, pots 
and objects with artistic embellishment. 
For creating sculptures either rock or metal 
or clay is used. Rock 
sculptures are made by 
carving, metal sculptures 
are made with the help 
of moulds and clay 
sculptures are formed 
either directly with 
hands or by using 
moulds. The entire 
temple of Kailasa at 
Verul is a unique monolithic sculpture 
(carved out of a single rock). The lion 
capital of the Asokan pillar found at 
Sarnath, is the national emblem of India.
Folk Styles of Sculptural Art : 
The sculptural art is also as ancient 
as the art of painting, dating back to 
stone ages. Carving tools out of stone 
can said to be the beginning of 
sculptural art. The custom of making 
clay images for rituals has been 
prevalent in India since Harappan 
times. It has continued till today in 
many regions like Bengal, Bihar, 
Gujarat, Rajsthan, etc. The Ganesha idols, 
masks of Gauri, bull figurines made for 
the festival of Bailpola, wooden memorials, 
Veergals (memorial stones), the decorated 
clay storage bins, etc. are a few examples 
of the folk traditions of sculptural art.
Classical Styles of Sculptural Art  :  
The Harappan seals, stone and bronze 
statues tell us about the 5000 years old or 
even older tradition of the Indian tradition 
of sculptural art. It is said that the tradition 
of carving out stone sculptures of larger 
size began in the Mauryan period with the 
Asokan pillars.
The Sanchi stupa was erected in 
emperor Ashoka’s time. However, the 
beautiful sculptural embellishments of the 
stupa are supposed to be later additions. 
The sculptures at Bharhut are testimonies 
of the continuous development of sculptural 
art in India. 
Buddhism was 
spread far and 
wide, in many 
countries outside 
India. The 
tradition of 
erecting Buddhist 
stupas began in 
those countries as 
well. The stupa at 
Borobudur in Indonesia is the largest stupa 
in the world. It was built during the 8th-9th 
century C.E. It was declared as a World 
Heritage site in 1991.
Ashokstambh
Bharhut Stupa
Indian Iconography : The Gandhara 
school of art came into being in the 2nd 
century B.C.E. in Afghanistan and 
neighbouring regions. It had Greek and 
Persian influence.
The 1st-3rd century C.E., that is the 
Kushana period, saw the rise of Mathura 
school of art. The Mathura school laid 
the foundation of Indian iconography. 
Iconography is a branch of knowledge 
which includes everything about making 
Borobudur 
Stupa
Page 5


22
4. History of Indian Arts 
4.1 What is ‘Art’?
4.2 Indian Traditions of Visual Arts
4.3 Indian traditions of Performing Arts
4.4 Art, Applied Art and Professional 
Opportunities
4.1 What is Art ?
It is a natural human instinct to want 
to share his experience, wisdom, and also 
emotions.  When that instinct results in a 
beautiful creation, it is acknowledged as 
‘Art’. The artist’s power of imagination, 
sensibility, state of emotion and his skills 
are the crucial factors at the root of 
artistic creation.
Visual Arts and Performing Arts  : 
Artistic creations are of two types, ‘Visual 
Arts’ and ‘Performing Arts’. The Sanskrit 
term for the first type is Drik Kala and for 
the second type, Lalit or Aangik Kala. Many 
examples of Prehistoric rock art have been 
discovered at many sites in the world. It 
proves that the origin of visual arts is as 
old as the stone-age man.
Folk Arts and Classical Arts :  There 
are two distinct traditions of art, ‘Folk Art’ 
and ‘Classical Art’. Folk art is a tradition 
that has continued from the prehistoric 
times. The expression of folk art is a 
natural part of people’s way of living. 
Hence its expression is spontaneous. Folk 
art is created by collective participation of 
the members of a social group. Classical 
art, on the other hand, is expressed within 
an established frame of consistent rules. It 
needs a prolonged training to master any 
form of classical art.
Style in Art  : Artists tend to have 
their own method of working. It is known 
as the style of the artist. When a style is 
adopted by many artists over a prolonged 
period of time, it may become a tradition. 
Such tradition gets established as an ‘art 
style’. Various art styles develop in every 
culture, which are characteristic of a 
certain period and region. Such styles are 
helpful in studying art history.
4.2 Indian Traditions of Visual Arts 
(Drik Kala)
The art of painting and sculpting are 
visual arts.
Maratha Style of Painting : Maratha paintings is 
an example of art style. The style known as Maratha 
paintings began to develop in the latter half of the 
17th century C.E. This style consists of coloured 
paintings and they occur as murals and also miniatures 
used in manuscripts. Murals of Maratha style can be 
seen in the old wadas at places like Wai, Menavali 
and Satara in Maharashtra. The Maratha style was 
influenced by the Rajput and European styles of 
painting.
Painting styles help us in understanding various 
things about the times in which it was developed such 
as the life style, attires, customs, etc. 
23
Art of Painting : Paintings are two 
dimensional, for 
example, sketches or 
paintings of nature, 
objects and individuals. 
They are done on 
various surfaces, such 
as rocks, walls, papers, 
canvas of different 
types and earthen pots. 
The mural of 
Bodhisattva at Ajanta 
caves is one of the 
finest examples of the art of painting.
Folk styles of Paintings : Rock 
paintings dating to stone ages have been 
discovered in many countries. 
In India, there are rock painting sites 
in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar 
Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, 
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The rock 
paintings in the caves at Bhimbetka are 
famous. Bhimbetka is a World Heritage 
site.
Rock paintings usually depict human, 
animal and geometric figures. However, the 
style of rock paintings seems to be changing 
according to the cultural changes from 
stone ages to the beginning of agriculture. 
The change is visible in the depiction of 
flora and fauna or it may be evident in the 
style of portraying various figures and also 
in the colours that were used. Black, red 
and white colours were used in the rock 
paintings, which were made from natural 
substances. With the help of rock paintings 
we can understand the knowledge of ancient 
people about their natural surroundings and 
also the way they exploited available 
natural resources.
The tradition of folk style of paintings 
closely resembles the style of rock paintings. 
Customs such as decorating the house 
walls and courtyards (Rangawali) by 
drawing various figures and symbols or 
using panels of paintings to narrate stories 
helped to develop regional styles of folk 
paintings.
The tradition of Chitrakathi (???????) 
is mentioned in ‘Manasollas’, or 
Abhilashitartha Chintamani a book 
written by the Chalukya king Someshvara 
in the 12th century C.E.  It confirms the 
antiquity of this tradition. The tradition 
of narrating stories from Ramayana or 
Mahabharata with the help of wooden 
The mural of 
Bodhisattva 
Padmapani
Do you know ?
The traditions of Warli painting and 
Pingul or chitrakathi (???????) in 
Maharashtra are among the finest 
examples of folk style of paintings. Jivya 
Somya Mashe, the artist in Thane district 
has played a great role in making the 
Warli style of paintings very popular. He 
has been honoured with a number of 
national and international awards for his 
paintings.  In the year 2011, he was 
awarded ‘Padmashree’.
It is interesting to know : 
24
Classical Styles of Painting : The 
ancient Indian texts have explained various 
aspects of arts in great details. There are 
altogether 64 arts mentioned in these texts. 
The art of painting is mentioned as alekhyam 
or alekhya vidya in these. 
It is said to have six main aspects 
(Shadange). The ancient Indian scholars 
studied these six aspects very minutely. 
They include : Roopbheda  (Different 
shapes and forms), Pramana (Proportionate 
depiction of various features of an image), 
Bhava (Expressions), Lavanyayojana 
(Aesthetics), Sadrushyata (A resemblance 
to reality), Varnikabhang (Colour 
composition).
Agama texts of various religious sects, 
Puranas, and Vastushastra texts explain 
the arts of painting and sculpting in the 
context of temple architecture.
Miniature Paintings in Manuscripts :  The miniature paintings in the early 
manuscripts show an influence of Persian 
style. The Deccan miniature style was 
developed under the patronage of the 
Deccan Sultanates. During the reign of 
Akbar, the Mughal emperor, the Mughal 
miniature style 
showing a blend of 
Indian and Persian 
styles was 
developed.
Western Style 
of Painting : In the 
British period Indian 
artists came under 
the influence of 
European style of 
painting.  An art 
school was established under the leadership 
of James Wales, a Scottish artist, in the 
times of Savai 
Madhavrao Peshwe 
in Shaniwar Wada 
in Pune. He had 
done a portrait of 
Savai Madhavrao 
and Nana 
Phadnavis.  
Gagaram Tambat, a 
marathi artist who 
worked with Wales 
deserves a special 
mention here. He 
puppets and paintings is known as, 
Chitrakathi or Pinguli tradition. The 
Chitrakathi pictures are drawn on a 
paper and painted in colours made 
from natural substances. It takes 30-
50 pictures to complete the narration 
of a single story. These pictures are 
preserved very carefully and handed 
down from one generation to another. 
The artists and the government are 
trying to preserve the tradition, which 
is on the verge of extinction.
Mughal Miniature
Savai Madhavrao and 
Nana Phadnavis
Gangaram Tambat with his Guru
had made drawings of the rock-cut caves 
at Verul and Karle. Some of his drawings 
are preserved in the Yale Centre of British 
Art of Yale University.
Exact portrayal of the object of the 
painting is characteristic of the European 
25
style. A number of renowned artists were 
trained in the J. J. School of Art and 
Industry, which was established in 1857 
C.E., offering courses in European style of 
painting. Pestonji Bomanji, an alumni of 
this school made replicas of Ajanta paintings.
Sculptural Art :  Sculptures are three 
dimensional, such as images, statues, pots 
and objects with artistic embellishment. 
For creating sculptures either rock or metal 
or clay is used. Rock 
sculptures are made by 
carving, metal sculptures 
are made with the help 
of moulds and clay 
sculptures are formed 
either directly with 
hands or by using 
moulds. The entire 
temple of Kailasa at 
Verul is a unique monolithic sculpture 
(carved out of a single rock). The lion 
capital of the Asokan pillar found at 
Sarnath, is the national emblem of India.
Folk Styles of Sculptural Art : 
The sculptural art is also as ancient 
as the art of painting, dating back to 
stone ages. Carving tools out of stone 
can said to be the beginning of 
sculptural art. The custom of making 
clay images for rituals has been 
prevalent in India since Harappan 
times. It has continued till today in 
many regions like Bengal, Bihar, 
Gujarat, Rajsthan, etc. The Ganesha idols, 
masks of Gauri, bull figurines made for 
the festival of Bailpola, wooden memorials, 
Veergals (memorial stones), the decorated 
clay storage bins, etc. are a few examples 
of the folk traditions of sculptural art.
Classical Styles of Sculptural Art  :  
The Harappan seals, stone and bronze 
statues tell us about the 5000 years old or 
even older tradition of the Indian tradition 
of sculptural art. It is said that the tradition 
of carving out stone sculptures of larger 
size began in the Mauryan period with the 
Asokan pillars.
The Sanchi stupa was erected in 
emperor Ashoka’s time. However, the 
beautiful sculptural embellishments of the 
stupa are supposed to be later additions. 
The sculptures at Bharhut are testimonies 
of the continuous development of sculptural 
art in India. 
Buddhism was 
spread far and 
wide, in many 
countries outside 
India. The 
tradition of 
erecting Buddhist 
stupas began in 
those countries as 
well. The stupa at 
Borobudur in Indonesia is the largest stupa 
in the world. It was built during the 8th-9th 
century C.E. It was declared as a World 
Heritage site in 1991.
Ashokstambh
Bharhut Stupa
Indian Iconography : The Gandhara 
school of art came into being in the 2nd 
century B.C.E. in Afghanistan and 
neighbouring regions. It had Greek and 
Persian influence.
The 1st-3rd century C.E., that is the 
Kushana period, saw the rise of Mathura 
school of art. The Mathura school laid 
the foundation of Indian iconography. 
Iconography is a branch of knowledge 
which includes everything about making 
Borobudur 
Stupa
26
of images of gods 
and goddesses.
The Kushana 
kings made use of 
images of various 
deities on their 
coins. During the 
period of Gupta 
empire the 
iconographic rules 
were formulated 
and standards for 
sculptural art were set.  The art of making 
bronze images was developed under the 
patronage of Chola kings during 9th-13th 
century. Bronze idols of Gods and 
goddesses like Siva-Parvati, Nataraj, 
Lakshmi, Vishnu, etc. were made in this 
period.
Architecture and Sculpture :  There 
are a number of rock-cut caves in India. 
The tradition of rock-cut caves originated 
in India in the 3rd century B.C.E. 
Technically the entire composition of a 
rock-cut cave represents a union of 
architecture and sculptural art. Its entrances, 
interiors with its carved columns and 
images are excellent specimens of sculptural 
art.  The paintings on the walls and ceiling 
have survived in some of the caves till 
today. The rock-cut caves at Ajanta and 
Verul in Maharashtra were declared as 
World Heritage in 1983. 
The temple architecture in India began 
to develop around 4th century C.E. during 
the Gupta period. The temples built at the 
beginning of the Gupta period had only the 
sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha) and a 
veranda with four columns.
The temple architecture in India had 
reached its 
peak by the 
8th century 
C.E. This is 
easily testified 
by the 
magnificent 
composition 
of the Kailas 
temple of 
Verul. By the medieval period various 
styles of temple architecture had developed 
in India.
The styles of temple architecture are 
identified by the style of the tower 
(Shikhara). The Nagara style of North 
India and the Dravida style of South India 
are the two principal styles of Indian 
temple architecture. A blend of these two 
styles is known as Vesara style. The 
Bhoomija style seen in Madhya Pradesh 
and Maharashtra has a close resemblance 
to the Nagara style from the structural 
viewpoint. In the Bhoomija style, series of 
miniature towers are arranged, which 
become smaller toward the top. Hence, the 
tower appears to be continuously rising 
from the base of the temple to the top. 
Ajantha Cave - No. 19 Entrance
Nagara Style
Dravida Style Gopura
Natraja