Rajasthani Phad and Miniature Paintings

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Rajasthan has carved a niche for itself in the arena of painting. Rajasthan’s fascinating miniature paintings and Phad Paintings are renowned the world over. Rajasthani painting combines the exuberance of bright primary colors with the vigor of strong, bold lines. Early paintings illustrated religious and rhetorical texts such as Bhagavata, Purana, Gita Govinda, Ramayana, Pabuji and Rangamala. From the mid 17th century, court portraiture and genre scenes gained in importance. The style of rajasthani Painting differs from state to state and from thikana to thikana (minor fiefdom). A variety of social, religious and ethno-cultural differences gave rise to many distinct schools, the four major ones being Mewar, Marwar, Hara (Bundi-Kota) and Dhundhar (Amber-Jaipur). Several minor ones include Kishangarh, Alwar and Ajmer. Each school having an inimitable and distinctive style.