List of Most Expensive Paintings

Painting is one of the oldest art forms. From prehistoric times to the modern times, art of painting has traversed many milestones. In the beginning, it was done for the sake of interest, but gradually this art prospered and it reached to the stage where a painter could earn his living through this art or rather enjoy a good life being a painter. Some works got so popular that the admirers vied for possessing them even at the cost of hefty sum.

A list given below consists of the paintings that are sold in the amount that is considered to be big over all criteria. The greatest works that were produced before 1800 AD are now the treasures of the museums and not available for sale. So this list comprises only the masterpieces made after 1800 AD. In a private sale or auction, these paintings have been sold in unimaginable prices. The rate of inflation has been adjusted in the offered prices of these masterworks. The list is as follows

A Wheatfield with Cypresses
Au Lapin Agile
False Start
Femme aux Bras Croiss
Femme assise dans un jardin
Green Car Crash (Green Burning Car I)
Irises
Le Reve
Les Noces de Pierrette
Massacre of Innocents
No 5, 1948
Police Gazette
Portrait de l_'artiste sans barbe
Portrait of Adele Bloch- Bauer ii
Portrait of Duke Cosimo I de_'Medici
Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier
Vase With Fifteen Sunflowers
White Ceter (Yellow, Pink and Lavender on Rose)
Yo, Picasso

For detailed information on the most expensive paintings, please visit http://ethnicpaintings.com/most-expensive-paintings/

India International Trade Fair 2007

India International Trade Fair 2007 is being held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Beginning from 14th November, it will be held till 27 November. IITF is organized by India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), a premier trade promoting agency of Government of India. IITF 2007 is the 27th issue the event that began in 1980 and being held annually since then.

IITF is a common platform for the manufacturers, traders, exporters and importers. This year itself there are 5500 enterprises participating and more than hundred are from overseas countries like Australia, Belgium, China, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Suriname, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE, U.K., USA, Syria and more.

Almost all major industries have organized their stalls in this fair. You will get to see the stalls belonging to the industries like Agriculture, Bio-Technology, Chemicals, Electronic Goods, IT, Food And Beverages, Leather, Pharmaceutical, Telecom, Textiles etc.

The exhibitors are incorporating the product profiles like Coir Products, Jute, Textiles, Garments, Household Appliance, Kitchen Appliances, Processed food, Beverages, Confectionery, Drugs, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Cosmetics, Body care & Health care products, Telecommunication, Power sector, Electronic Sector, Furniture, Home Furnishings, Sports Goods, Toys, Engineering Goods etc.

For this year, the special theme is, “Processed Food and Agro Industries”. Whereas the partner country for the year is SAARC, that consists Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal other than India.

Beside this international extravaganza, all states of Indian Union also showcase their charm and class every year with varied themes. This trade fair is a wonderful platform for the business and business organizations. Beside trade, tourism also gets a big boost as the visitors get to see the real picture of the different countries and states.

Moreover, there is a flurry of cultural programs being held in different theatres and conference halls by various renowned artists and musicians. All in all, this event is a once in a year opportunity to get memorable experience.

Handicrafts are the center of attraction in this fair. As India is a land of rich cultural diversity, every state pavilion is a workshop in itself and visitors tend to meet with the craftsmen in person. ”Saras” is a pavilion solely dedicated to the cause of Handicrafts. You can have a live idea of this pavilion through pictures displayed in the respective pages.

Keywords: India International Trade Fair 2007, trade fair, trade fair New Delhi, Pragati Maidan trade fair, India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO)
Description: India International Trade Fair 2007 is being held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. Beginning from 14th November, it will be held till 27 November. IITF is organized by India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO)

For more information on IITF 2007 please visit http://india-crafts.com/iitf2007/

An Amazing Sale on Crafts in India

To commemorate the cheerful holiday season, Crafts in India has set off an amazing sale. As all know it very well that craftsinindia.com is a renowned online handicraft shopping store, this time it has come with a really big offer. It is offering 40% to 50% discount offer on a big range of products like Buddha Statues, Ganesha and other Hindu Deities Statues, Wall Hangings, Carpets, Candles and Candle Holders, Bed Spreads, Toys and more. Discount is not less than 40% in any of these products rather many draw a 50% discount.

Crafts in India, is a premier online shopping station for last ten years. Beside above mentioned products, there is a great range of products for sale covering Jewelry products, Home Décor products, Home Furnishing Products, Apparels, Fashion Accessories, Paintings and other miscellaneous products. Craftsinidia.com is a technically sound website, grabbing firm position on the top ten search results of most of the category keywords.
If you are an avid collector or admirer of handicrafts, you must visit http://www.craftsinindia.com/ and take maximum benefit out of the ongoing sale.

Why People Love Painting

People are in love with painting since they came to life millions of years ago. Having fulfilled their essential requirements they looked up to some recreational activities. Beautiful cave paintings of prehistoric times like those of Lascaux, Le Marche and Chauvet Cave and Bhimbetka bear the testimony of the fact. It might have started from drawing something on the soil with their fingers because a good diagram on the soil helps you to become an accomplished artist.

A colorful object attracts everyone. Colors give the fancy of the person a new world. When someone holds a paint brush, he thinks that whole cosmos can be again drawn through his fingers. Seas, skies, mountains, valleys, gorges, people, animals etc, can all be drawn with immaculate details just on a sheet of paper. Moreover, to color the figure concerned the pigments could be sourced from various things like minerals, vegetables, synthetic materials and other naturally occurring objects.

A cherished memory could well be preserved through a painting. Thus paintings can be made out of imagination as well as of the real thing or the real incident. Painting world is so diverse that a budding artist can choose his style and affiliation to a particular style and then decide to go ahead with. He can specialize in the painting on the basis of medium like water color, oil color, pastel color, fusion etc. Similarly an apprentice can choose to make specifically landscapes, seascapes, skyscapes, waterscapes or the fusion of them.

The most interesting part of painting is its commercial aspect. If an artist can carve out for himself a niche, then finance will never be a constraint for him or her. If he works hard in innovation, creativity, consistency and patience, his work can give him everything. Thus, a hobby can be a stabling factor in life. All painting greats had started their journey by just drawing a diagram on surface through their finger. Come and join the league if your fingers are itching to do something.

To learn tips on how to learn painting please visit Ethnic Paintings .

Phulkari Art of Punjab – A Novel Indian Craft

Punjab is a happening place in India. Various craft forms often synchronize with the popular folk music and produce an enchanting effect. People of Punjab are said to be very hard working and diligent at their vocation. Phulakri is predominantly a handiwork of the female folks of Punjab. The literal meaning of phulkari is flowering. This craft involves the embroidery of the flowering patterns on dupattas, shawls or other garments.

Evolution of the Craft
Phulkari is done with huge interest and enthusiasm by the women. They started doing phulkari in the backdrop of remaining free at home while their husbands were working away in the fields. It started off in the sixteenth century as amateurish disposition and evolved to a developed craft in 19th century.

How Phulkari is Done
Phulkari is done as making artistic small darn stitch over the cloth. These stitches are done in innumerable designs making the cloth immensely beautiful. When the stitches are made all over the body of the cloth, the prepared piece is called “Bagh”. The base cloth used for this purpose is home-spun, locally-woven and dyed khadi. The thread used is silk yarn also called Pat, that is imported from the various corners of Kashmir, Bengal, China and Afghanistan.

Colors and Designs:
The popular colors used in making phulkari are golden, yellow, crimson, orange, green, blue and pink. You may get to see plenty of designs in geometrical as well as natural patterns. Among figures, prominently of flowers, leaves, birds, animals and of human are popular. The figures of vegetables, pots, buildings, rivers, sun and moon are also displayed quite often. The baghs carrying dhoop-chhaon (sun-shade) patterns are very popular all over Punjab. Similarly, Dhaniya bagh (coriander), Motia Bagh (jasmine), Satranga Bagh (rainbow), Leheria Bagh (wavy) etc. are also very famous. Most sought after phulkaris are said to be Sainehi Phulkaris that carry the scenes of rural Punjab.

Significance of Phulkaris
Phulkari craft has played a significant role in defining the popular mood of Punjab. The phulkari designing and the scenes displayed on the clothes has been inspiration for various folk songs and other cultural activities. They show the feelings and emotions of the people. Phulkari done garments are exchanged in the familial ties essentially. It is said that bride when leaves for the house of groom, she is given many sets of Baghs to be worn in the in-law’s home. Phulkaris have some religious significance too. They are used as the canopy over the holy scripture of Sikhs, the Guru Granth Sahib.
For any kinds of informational and commercial leads, please visit http://www.india-crafts.com/textile/embroidery_traditions/phulkari/

Indian Embroidery: A Classic Display of Craft

India is a land of art and crafts. Using locally available goods and guided by a beautiful vision they make wonderful artifacts. Most of Indian garments carry a kind of embroidery or the other in order to be more beautiful and attractive. Embroidery in general terms, is a kind of work of fine threads on the surface of a fabric in an artistic pattern. Different regions of India have different embroidery traditions on the basis of fabric, thread, design and the color combinations applied. Due to their distinct style, intricate craftwork, complex process and over all their elegance, Indian Embroidery styles are popular world over. Some of very famous Indian Embroidery styles are discussed in different heads below:

Chikankari: This is one of the most sought after embroidery work of India. Chikankari is most delicately done embroidery on muslin, georgette, chiffon and other fine fabrics with white yarn. Different kind of stitches like flat stitches, embossed stitches and small stitches make the fabric very beautiful. A fabric that is to be embellished with chikankari undergoes through five different processes viz. stitching, printing, embroidery, washing, and finishing. Creeper motif is the most commonly used motif in chikankari, whereas flower motifs like jasmine, rose, flowering stems, lotus and paisley motifs are also very popular. Chikankari embroidery is not limited to only garments but it is done on various home furnishing items also like cushion covers, pillow covers, table linen and partition curtains. Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh is the biggest center of Chikankari.

Kantha: This is local embroidery style of Bengal practiced by Bengali women to make it over home furnishing items. Old cotton saris are used as base and the thread used is also old. This is marked by small running stitches that give a series of dotted lines. The outer surface of the old cotton sari undergoes through a lot of needlework and it changes the appearance of the old sari to new and fresh one. The usual motifs made in kantha are gods and goddesses, animals, flowers and different geometric patterns. There are various kind of kantha on the base of their use and the process of manufacturing. Some important ones are Archilata kantha, Baiton kantha, Durjani/thalia, Oaar kantha, Sujani kantha and Rumal kantha.

Kathi : This style of embroidery is done by the Rabari nomadic tribe of Gujarat. This style is marked by the combination of chain stitch along with appliqué work and the embellishments of small mirrors. Bright colors fabrics are used for this embroidery and the folk flavor of Gujarat looks on with full vibrancy.

Zardozi: This style of embroidery flourished in the medieval period under the patronage of emperor Akbar. You will find the creative use of laid stitch with the golden thread in zardozi. This embroidery is very intricate, and complex but beautiful and elegant. Zardozi could be done on saris, wall hangings, caps and other articles. For zardozi, golden wires or zari is used which is made after strenuous efforts that involve winding, twisting, wire drawing and gold plating of thread. Suart and Banaras are the principal centers of zardozi presently. Zardozi done garments are very popular and high in demand these days.
Beside these embroidery styles of India, there are some other very important styles practiced in India. Some of them are appliqué, crewelwork, phulkari, karchobi. aribharat, kimkhab,sujuni, etc.
To have more idea and information on Indian embroidery styles please visit http://india-crafts.com/textile/embroidery_traditions/

Ajanta Paintings and Their Magic

In painting world, Ajanta paintings hold a very important place. Murals of Ajanta caves are one of the most vibrant, exuberant and vivacious murals in the world. Ajanta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located 105 kilometers from the town of Aurangabad in the Maharashtra state of Western India. There are total 29 caves in the horse shoe shaped mountains along the ravine of Waghora river valley. These rock cut caves were dug during 2nd to 6th century BCE, predominantly for the Buddhist monks. Most of these caves were dug under the patronage of Vakataka king Harishena.

Till the beginning of 19th century, these beautiful caves were completely unknown to the world. Ajanta caves were first discovered by English Subaltern officers of Madras Army in 1819. In next hundred years, many people set out on the expeditions and collected rich and authentic information about these pristine caves. Noteworthy endeavors were put in by several western art freaks like James Alexander (1834), James Fergusson (1843), Major Robert Gill (1857), Mr. Griffith(1896), Lady Harringham (1911) and John Marshall in 1928.
Ajanta caves are actually the chaityas (sanctuaries) and viharas (monasteries), cut for the Buddhist monks. In Buddhist traditions the Bhikshus or monks had to live away from the general public in rainy seasons.

They discovered that the painting styles adopted in Ajanta were high standard murals. Art historians remain baffled to see these frescoes because to produce these frescoes a highly complex procedure had been applied and it is not a small achievement to go through that procedure at those early times. Ajanta paintings seem to have followed the rich tradition of paintings that had started during the prehistoric times at Bhimbetka, Sittanvasal and Adamgarh.

Ajanta murals are mainly didactic, devotional and ornamental in taste. Themes of the paintings are predominantly inspired from the tales of Jataka and the life and teachings of Buddha. The paintings here can be classified in to portraits, narrative illustrations and decorative ornamentation of society. Some of the most critically acclaimed paintings of Ajanta are Bodhisattva Padmapani, Miracle of Saraswati, The Dying Princess, Pillar Detail, Dark Buddha, beside the beautiful Jataka illustrations on the ceilings, walls, over the gates etc. The paintings done here give us ample information on the life style of the contemporary Indian society.

For more information on Ajanta paintings please visit http://www.ethnicpaintings.com/painting-trivia/ajanta-paintings.html

Popular Painting Styles

In painting world there are so many styles that are very popular. But before giving an account of different popular styles we need to know what the term “style” means. In fact, there is not any certain definition of “style”. It may be understood in the aesthetic terms as what to paint or which physical technique implied in painting. Aesthetic movements like realism, romanticism and impressionism belong to this explanation of style. To further understand it, we may say that style is said to be the ways an artist paints and applies colors and texture. The perspective and the way in which an artist looks at the things visible and invisible characterize his or her style.

Scholarly discourse on style has given more technical term “movement” or “school” to which an artist can be associated with. Inclusion of an artist to certain school or movement may be done by the deliberate affiliation of the artist to such movement or by the art historians.

Some of the popular painting styles are discussed under following heads:

Constructivism: This movement had started in Russia in the wake of socialism. It was not purely an art but was a fusion of art and architecture. This movement was principal inspiration in raising many socialist establishments in Russia after the October revolution. Constructivism was on high in the period between 1919 to 1934. The chief proponents of this style of art were Alexander Rodcheckno, Liubov Popava, Vladimir Tatlin and Olga rozanova.

Fauvism: This is painting style in which proponents believed in the use of color as a massive emotional force. This style was marked by expression of feelings in colors with severe roughness and clumsiness. The use of simplified lines to expressively reveal the subject and theme of the painting was also used to be the attempt of the artists. They preferred spontaneity and freshness over the finish in any work of art. Pioneer of this art style was Gustave Moreau.

Classicism: This term refers to the paintings style employed by the ancient Roman and Greek painters. Classicism is characterized by the simplicity and adherence to the basic rules and principles of painting. This art style is refined and elegant, disciplined by order and symmetry. Classicism is unique style which does not encourage self expression and individuality. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Mantegna were the painters who tried to imitate this ancient style of art.

Besides, there are so many other styles and schools which are significant and have expressed different thoughts and subjects of the self and society in a unique way. Noteworthy of them are- abstract art, aboriginal art, aestheticism, art brut, art nouveau, baroque, Byzantine art, cubism, dada, dragging, encaustic paintings, expressionism, gothic paintings, impressionism, mannerism, marbling, minimalism, modernism, neoclassicism, orientalism, primitivism, ragging & stippling, realism, spattering, surrealism, symbolism, theorem paintings and wood graining.

To have more comprehensive idea about Popular Painting Styles please visit Ethnic Paintings

Embroidery Traditions in India

Indians craftsmen were engaged in the process of beautifying and embellishing multiple fabrics since very long time. Embroidery is the name of one such craft that glorifies the cloth when worked upon meticulously. There are several embroidery traditions in India that have been the major factor behind the beautiful clothing of the royalty and the common people. Some important embroidery crafts are discussed below:

Appliqué: In India, appliqué is practiced in the eastern coastal state of Orissa. Pipli in Puri district in renowned worldwide for the ravishing appliqué work. In appliqué embroidery, different pieces of colorful clothes are sewn or fixed over another in a definite artistic pattern. In this process a lot of decoration is done on the surface using mirror pieces, metal pieces, wooden or metal wires. Handbags, bed sheets, wall hangings, purses, cushion covers, letter cases, pillow covers, canopies and garden umbrellas and many other decorative items are made with deft appliqué work. The chief colors used for this ultimate handicraft are dazzling red, purple, black, yellow, green and white fabric.

Crewelwork: This embroidery style is more than thousand years old. In crewelwork intricate work of wool is done on the surface of cotton or linen. Special crewel needles are required to work out this style of embroidery. Various stitches are needed to carry out this embroidery- chain stitch is the primary one.

Kimkhab: This style is marked by the appearance of gold embroidery on the rich silk surface. Gold embroidery appearance is due to the silk fabrics that look golden. Golden silk threads and the silk threads in other colors are interwoven delicately to produce an enchanting work of embroidery. The golden silk thread also called kalabattu is actually a prepared thread of silk with a metallic mounting of gilded silver.

Sujuni: It is the traditional embroidery form of Bihar. Sujuni is done on the fabric that is enforced with fine muslin. Basic fabric is generally red or white in which the sujuni motifs are artistically done. The inner parts of these motifs are filled with different color while the outer motifs are marked by the elegant chain stitches.

Aribharat: This is one of the most ornamental embroidery form practiced in Kutch region of Gujarat. This craft of embroidery is named after ari, a hook that is inserted from the top and fed with silk thread from under the fabric. The cloth to be done aribharat is spread out and stretched on a frame. Stitches which are similar to the chain stitch are applied using the hook, to make loops.

There are other important embroidery traditions in India like karchobi, chikankari, kantha, kathi, phulkari, zardozi etc. To have comprehensive idea on all embroidery traditions of India please visit India Crafts

Crafts of India

Every region of India specializes in a craft or the other. Every corner here is a workshop of the craftsmen who have been engaged in making different forms of crafts since generations. The social structure of India has been such that it entrusted responsibility of harboring a craft form or the other to a particular cast for earning a living as well as developing it. This factor helped in the development many crafts. The craftsmen passed on the skills and knowledge of the crafts concerned to the next generation and they passed it on to the next generation. After so many generations passed by the present folks have almost similar skills and technique to those of their ancestors. Each generation has added something extra to what they had received. This process has helped in flourishing of the craft traditions.

There are several handicrafts that have become the identity of the state or the place they belong to. In present times their market value and demand have leaped to very high level. They are immensely appreciated both in home and away from home. These crafts have been survived till date because of their utilitarian value, availability to the common people and popularity in the domestic and foreign circuits.

The craft of jewelry has reached to high levels of popularity amongst Indians. Gems and the related jewelry are hugely demanded all over. The demand and popularity of jewelry has helped in the transformation of this craft into an industry. Gems and jewelry have different medicinal powers too. People wear them as per the advice of astrologers. Beside medical effects, it is strongly believed that selective gems bring fortune and success to the wearer.

Sarees are important attire for Indian women. They are plenty of materials and designs in which these Sarees are made. Brocade and zari work is in great demand. The repertoire of Indian sarees include Tanchoi from Surat, Paithani, Patola, Kanjeevaram, Banarsi Amru , cotton saris from the tribal regions of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh and many others from different corners of India. The sarees may be block printed, bandhej styled, embroidered, brocaded or traditionally done.

There are other varieties of costumes and garments that are manufactured in India using different skills, techniques and fabrics. Woven shawls of Kashmir and North-East, Jaipuri quilts, carpets and pherans of Kashmir are popular all over the places.

Other crafts like Bamboo products of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, appliqué products of Orissa, Stone craft of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and Bidri craft of Karnataka are most glorious crafts traditions in India.

For information on Indian Crafts visit http://india-crafts.com

Yoga- Theory and Practice

According to Hindu belief system the ultimate goal of the life is spiritual upliftment of the being through the union of soul (atma) and the Supreme power (Paramatma). Yoga (literal meaning union or combination) is a collective term given to the ancient spiritual practices leading to the union of Atma and Paramatma. As a general theory of Hinduism, yoga refers to the techniques or the disciplines of the asceticism and meditation that leads to the spiritual experience and a deep understanding of the nature of existence of the humanity.
The concept of yoga has got mention in various Hindu scriptures. The primary ones are Upanishads, Bhagwad Gita, Patanjali Yogasutra, Hath Yoga Pradeepika and Shiva Sanhita. Raj Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga are the branches of the Yoga.
Bhagwad Gita is one of the most revered texts of Hindu religion which is deemed to have been composed in 2nd century BC. The term yoga has been used extensively in this scripture, with rather various connotations. Greatest emphasis is given to three terms- Karma Yoga (yoga of action), Bhakti Yoga (yoga of action) and Jnana Yoga (yoga of knowledge).There are 24 chapters in The holy Gita, each six based on these factions of yoga.
Acharya Patanjali is regarded as the founder of the formal Yoga Philosophy who composed Yogasutra. His yoga is Raj Yoga that deals with the control of body and mind. On the basis of Patanajali’s studies, the system of Ashtanga Yoga or Eight Limbs of Yoga has evolved. These are: Yama (five abstentions), Niyama (five observances), Asana (seat or postures), Pranayama (control of life force), Pratyahara (abstraction), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), Samadhi (liberation).
The system of Yoga has influenced almost all the religious systems of India including Buddhism and Jainism. Almost all the major factions of Buddhism like Yogacara Buddhism, Zen Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism have been deeply influenced by Yoga.
Yoga has now become popular all over the world including US. There are so many instructors who, after learning it from the accomplished Yoga Gurus, are teaching the techniques of yoga to the millions of people. The system of Yoga is scientifically proved, hence all people who have got scientific temperament are inclined towards yoga. Nowadays many yoga camps are organized in different cities by trained Gurus. Permanent yoga teaching centers and yoga classes are attended by huge number of people. All these activities are triggered by the popularity of yoga as a harmless system that provides physical as well as mental strength. Their are various products in the market that facilitate yoga. For ex. yoga mats, yoga bags, yoga props , yoga clothing and other accessories.

This is estimated that in coming times the popularity of yoga will only increase.

For more information you may visit http://www.yoga.indiahandicraftstore.com/

Phad Paintings

Phad Paintings are the folk paintings of western India, especially Rajasthan. Phad paintings, speaking in general terms, are large paintings on cloth which commemorate the heroic deeds of a hero. The smaller version of Phad paintings is called pahadkye.

The origin of the phad paintings is not clearly known because as a custom the phad were destroyed by submerging in a lake near Pushkar. This is the reason the earliest specimens of phad paintings are not available. The oldest phad paintings available belong to late 19th century or early 20th century.

The main theme of this painting style was to illustrate the heroics of Goga Chauhan, Prithviraj Chauhan, Amar Singh Rathore and Tejaji. However, now in the present times, old heroes have been replaced by new ones like Papuji and Narayandevi. Phadkye, the smaller version of phad paintings primarily depict the stories of Ram Krishnadala, Bhainsasura and Ramdev.

The heroes depicted in the phad paintings are those humans who have attained the divine status because of their valor and achievements in numerous battles fought for the honor and defence of motherland.
Phad paintings are painted by people of special cast- Chippa also called Joshis. These paintings have attained a sacred stature and before the beginning the drawing certain rituals and ceremonies are observed. An interesting fact of the making of phad paintings is that no work is done on phads during the monsoon season. This is done with the belief that the folk deities remain asleep during this season.


The colors used in these paintings are sequentially saffron, green, brown, vermillion, sky blue and black. Traditionally, the colors used are derived from vegetables and minerals. Though, in present times, synthetic colors have also gained prominence.

One more interesting tradition about the phad painting is that the painter does not paint the eyes of the painting until he hands that over to bhopa (fellow from Bhopa caste, who specialize is singing different folk tales). At the time of handing over cloth painting to him, painter gives the final touch to the painting by drawing the eyes of the character concerned. At this time he also adds the name of the bhopa and the date on the painting. Bhopas in a group of two or three sing the tales illustrated in the phads and a musical tribute is paid to the hero.


For their unique appeal, Phads have become commercial commodity, in the present times.

For more information please visit http://www.ethnicpaintings.com/

Indian Miniature Paintings

Among several styles of Indian paintings, miniature style is most significant. Miniature school of painting was originated in the western valley of Himalaya in seventeenth century. But it flourished and greatly evolved under the patronage of Mughal emperors. Miniature style is characterized by the delicate brushwork and detailed illustration of even smallest of object shown.
Though some themes of miniature paintings were influenced by the stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagwat Purana,Rasik Priya, Ras Manjari and other literary classics but the foremost theme used to be the Ragas or the musical codes of Indian classical music.
The colors used for these paintings were prepared from minerals, vegetables, precious stones, indigo, conch shells, pure gold and silver.

There are three primary sub genres of Indian Miniature Paintings- Mughal School, Rajput School and Deccan School. The Mughal Miniature Paintings have a strong and a definite narrative content. These brilliantly illustrated paintings glow as if illuminated from inside. The use of bold contrasts such as red, green, blue yellow is definitely a native influence. During the reign of Mughal emperor Jahangir, this style got more sophistication. They became more intricate and smaller and even the themes were picked very carefully. Mansoor, Abul Hasan, Daswant and Govardhan were the greatest painters of the Mughal Miniature Style.
The Rajput school of painting was marked by the themes of Lord Krishna and his leelas. The literature of Bhakti cult had influenced these paintings hugely. The emphasis used to be given on the love and other emotions, keeping Radha and Krishna at the center stage. These paintings are known for the aesthetic depiction of various love acts of the divine couple. Rajput Miniature painters mainly used vegetable and mineral dyes. Notable painters of this school were Keshav Das and Bhanudutt.

Pesian and Turkish painting traditions seem to have influenced the Deccan School of Painting to a great extent. This school of painting bloomed in Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Golconda, and Aurangabad. The union of these styles with indigenous traditions produced a fascinating hybrid. Some interesting fields where this school of painting was applied were Husayan Shahi Manuscript, Ragamala, Nujum al-Ulam, Portraits of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II and Kulliyat from Golconda.


Miniature school of paintings was an accomplished art form as well as the most authentic resource of its times. Indian culture is made rich an prosperous having these mighty traditions and arts.

For more information see the article: http://www.ethnicpaintings.com/indian_painting_styles/miniature/index-1.html

At the outset

In the blog arena for the first time, i feel thrilled from the fact that this interface will have a greater significance than any other. I wanted to tell people around the globe about the charm and the captivating nature of Indian crafts and eventually i have landed up here. From paintings to sculptures, textiles to metallurgy, jewelry to woodenwares and plenty of other aspects are Indian Crafts are fascinating and quaint enough to generate huge curiosity. These craft traditions are nurtured since pre historic times and evolved to this strong, permanent and ever advancing stage.

In my later posts i shall be focussing individually on the Indian Crafts and traditions to give you a deep insight of the Crafts and Culture of India. And this wait will not be longer.