PAINTING IN THE KANGRA VALLEY by Vijay Sharma
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An attempt to survey the painting styles of Guler and Kangra, which flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries
PAINTING IN THE KANGRA VALLEY by Vijay Sharma
The book Painting
in the Kangra Valley by Vijay
Sharma, published by Niyogi Books is an attempt to
survey the painting styles of Guler and Kangra, which flourished in the 18th
and 19th centuries. A detailed survey
of the painting styles of Guler and Kangra in the 18th and 19th
centuries. Analyses the impact of the Bhakti movement and of Mughal
painting on the painting traditions of the region. With more than 150 images of
paintings, the book is a visual treat for scholars as well as general readers.
The painting activity began with Kashmiri painters, who started
receiving royal patronage during the reign of Raja Dalip Singh (1695?1741) of
Guler. But it attained culmination during the long reign of Maharaja Sansar
Chand (1776?1823) of Kangra. The royal atelier of Kangra produced a large
number of paintings covering diverse subjects. The advent of the Bhakti
movement in north India had a tremendous impact, resulting in a preference for
Krishna themes for the artists of Guler and Kangra.
The sentiment of love is the main subject of Guler-Kangra paintings.
They illustrate the finest specimens of various kinds of nayika described by
the Hindi poets of the riti genre. The female figures seen in these paintings
are depicted as graceful and beautiful idealisations, handled by the painters
with utmost delicacy and tenderness.
Vijay Sharma’s analytical approach, based on facts, gives new insights
into the origin and development of the Guler school and the marked influence of
later Mughal painting on the styles of Manaku and Nainsukh. Featuring more than
160 images this book is a significant read for researchers as well as
connoisseurs.
Vijay Sharma is an art historian and art critic. He is widely recognised
as a fine miniature painter and has travelled extensively in India and abroad,
giving lecture demonstrations on the techniques of Pahari painting.
His keen interest in the riti genre of Hindi poetry and Indian classical
music helps him understand the nuances of Ragamala paintings. He has
co-authored several books and research articles, the notable ones being The
Temple of Devi-Kothi; Love for Pleasure; Vision of an Enlightened King (ed.);
Pahari Paintings of an Ancient Romance: The Love Story of Usha-Aniruddha and
Painted Words: Kangra Paintings of Matiram’s Rasraj. He has also written Kangra
ki Chitrankan Parampara (in Hindi).
Vijay Sharma is the recipient of several awards, including National
Award of Master Craftsman in Basohli Painting in 1990 and Padma Shri in 2012.
At present, he works as Senior Artist in the Bhuri Singh Museum, Chamba, in
Himachal Pradesh.
J.P. Losty was the curator of Indian manuscripts and paintings at
the British Museum and British Library in London for 34 years until his
retirement in 2005. He has published extensively on illustrated Indian
manuscripts and painting in India from the 11th to the 19th century.
Flexiback • 244 pages • INR 1950 • ISBN 978-93-89136-65-4 • Niyogi Books
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