Early Indian Miniature Paintings (c. 1000 - 1550 AD)

Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Introduction: i. A brief history of important painting styles in North India. ii. Relationship between Jaina and non-Jaina paintings of the Western Indian style. iii. Cultural background of the 15 and 16 centuries. 2. Painting styles of North India from 11 to 15 centuries: i. Western Indian or Apabhramsa style. ii. Illustrated Digambara manuscripts from Moodbidri (Karnataka). iii. Pala or Eastern Indian painting style. iv. Sultanate painting style. 3. 15 century manuscripts illustrating secular and Hindu themes: i. Manuscripts illustrating secular themes. ii. Manuscripts illustrating Hindu themes. 4. Some aspects of the Chaurapanchasika Group of paintings of early 16 century. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

"The present study aims at highlighting Indian painting from an obscure area till recently supposed to be one of the dark periods of its history. Here the focus is on the non-Jain illustrations, such as, the Balagopala Stuti, Gita Govinda, Devi Mahatmya, Vasant Vilasa, and Laura Chanda, which were generally overlooked under the glare of the Jain Group (between 11 to 16 century AD). The Great Indian Painting blossomed into the early 16 century, if not earlier, first as "Proto Rajasthani" and subsequently as the regional Rajasthani Schools, and was destined to impact early Mughal Paintings, consequently the Pahari Schools.

Thus the evidence collated and discussed here is of immense value not only in its historical perspective but also its new aesthetic appeal generated due to the lyricism of poetic work and tales of romance in the Medieval (North) India. Special emphasis is given to emerging new trends in the 15 century, which shaped the emergence of proto-Rajasthani style in North India prior to the Akbari style. Technical and the aesthetic merits as well as dating and provenance of specimens are also discussed.

As its backdrop the Pala, Jaina, Sultanate and similar painting movements find place in the present volume. Initial depiction available starts with the iconic representation of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Jaina Tirthankaras, Vidya Devies, etc., and culminates into a thoughtfully designed canvas where narratives bring broad panorama of life in all its shades and moods. This burst of contemporary life into paintings is also discussed. As a corollary, the social milieu of these paintings serves as one of the backgrounds. The study brings together the pre-Mughal movement of Indian miniature paintings in their variety." (jacket)