Orchha Paintings
Contents: Preface. 1. Geographical situation and short history of Orchha : Rudra Pratap, Bharti Chand, Madhukar Shah, Ram Shah, Vir Singh Ju Dev, Jujhar Singh, Pahar Singh, Sujan Singh, Indra Mani, Jaswant Singh, Bhagwant Singh, Udait Singh, Prithvi Singh, Savant Singh, Bharti Chand II, Vikramjit Singh, Tej Singh, Sujan Singh II, Pratap Singh. 2. Brief history of Central Indian paintings with special reference to Orchha paintings : Datia – Puran Mahal, Cenotaps (Makbaras), Sheogiri Temple, Avadh Bihari Temple, Bharat Garh Palace; Tikamgarh; Panna – Dhubela Tal; Gursarai; Singar and Sutta; Chhatarpur; Ath-Bhaiya Jagir – Tehroli, Bijana Todi Fatehpur; Banpur; Jhansi; Samthar, Amargarh; Alipura; Talbhet – The painted hall, Narsimha Temple; Madanpur; Orchha – Ram Raja Temple, Raja Mahal, Jehangir Mahal, Praveen Mahal, Chaturbhuj Temple, Lakshmi Temple. 3. Themes : Orchha paintings : Ram Leela – Lord Rama’s Birth, Taraka Vadh, Sita Swayambara, Parshuram, Rama’s Journey to the forest with Sita and Lakshman, Soorpanakha, Marich, Jatayu, Hanuman in Lanka, Setu Bandh, Camp scene at Lanka, Kumbhakaran, meeting of Bharat and Hanuman, Ahi-Ravan, Ram-Ravan battle, Return of Shri Rama-Sita and Lakshman to Ayodhya, Rama holding Court; Krishna Leela – Krishna’s Birth, Putna Vadh, Utpach, Ternaverat, Yamlarjun, Makhan-Chor, Kaliadah, Batsasur, Bakasur, Aghasur, Keshi, Arishtasur, Govardhan Dhari Krishna, Cheer Haran, Kuvalyapida, Chadoor and Mushtik, Kans, Rasleela, Rukmani Haran; other divinities – Shiv, Ganesh, Vishnu, Churning of Ocean, Varah Avtar, Narsingh Avtar, Matsya Avtar, Hayagriva, Vaman Avtar, Parsuram, Dhruv, Gajender in the turmoil of Graha, Maha-Lakshmi, Surya, Durga, Worship of Lord Vishnu, Brahma, Shravan Kumar, Bhim, Griffin and Changul Chidia; War Scenes. 4. Technique and style : Fresco Buono, Fresco Secco, Tempra, S’graffito, the salient features of Orchha paintings. 5. Cultural study : dress; coiffure; ornaments; luxury and games- dance, conversation, hunting, Chaugan, wrestling, smoking, gardening, festivals. 6. Society and religion. 7. Conclusion. Chronology. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.
"In the history of Central Indian art, the wall-paintings of Orchha occupy a unique position. The artists, under the patronage of kings, adopted long-lasting techniques in the creation of murals, depicting values dear to them based on the Vedas, the Epics – the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the various Puranas etc. These paintings and murals have not received due exposure, prominence and importance from the viewpoint of cultural study. The present work is an attempt to fill this gap.
The book, attempts to bring out finer aspects of art, culture, historical background and theme of each painting, socio-religious activity and behaviour of the people of Orchha. An attempt has also been made to analyse various techniques and styles used in the making of murals and paintings of Orchha. Detailed themes of paintings and murals have been described in light of historical and cultural prominence.
The book is copiously illustrated with colour plates, and line drawings making it the most comprehensive coverage of the Orchha art and its times." (jacket)
