2017-08-23 Wed

India has been a riot of colours with each region developing a culturally unique style of paintings! Miniature Paintings undoubtedly are the best of all. Starting from merely being the illustrations for religious texts, Miniature Paintings have stolen many hearts with its varied topics of depiction. India Post in 1973 has commemorated a few on stamps. Let’s have a look at these beauties.

Kishangarh’s Radha: This “Mona Lisa of India” is an excellent example of Kishangarh School of Rajasthani Miniatures. Painted by a famous artist called Nihal Chand, the lady depicted here as “Radha”, was said to be a singer and poet in the court of Savant Singh by the name ‘Bhani-Thani’ (possibly pseudo).

Dancing Duets: This painting on 50 Paise stamp, depicting a dancing couple is an uncommon Mughal Miniatures from Aurangzeb’s period.

Musical ‘Maru Ragini’: This Re. 1 stamp depicts the famous musical folklore of ‘Dhola-Maru’ meeting after a long time by the grace of their faithful camel. Set against bold primary colours this painting is painted by artist Nasir-Ud-Din of Rajasthan’s Mewar style of Miniatures.

Majestic animal Tamed: Depicted on this Rs. 2 commemorative stamp is a beautiful painting of artist Zain-Al-Abidin. It features a chained ceremonial elephant with a red-saddle cloth and a mahout (rider) holding an Ankush (goad). The in depth featuring of birds and tree leaves are a proof of the Jahangir period of Mughal Miniatures.

View the stamp here.