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Painting in the Kangra Valley

Painting in the Kangra Valley

By (author) Vijay Sharma

$49.00

  • 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
     
Full Description
Painting in the Kangra Valley is an attempt to survey the painting styles of Guler and Kangra, which flourished in the 18th and 19th centuries. 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 idealizations, 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 around 160 images this book is a significant read for researchers as well as connoisseurs.
About the Author
Vijay Sharma is an art historian and art critic. He is widely recognized as a fine miniature painter and has traveled 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.

Specifications
Publisher
Niyogi Books
ISBN
9789389136654
Published
11th Jan 2021
Binding
Hardback
Territory
USA & Canada
Size
9 in x 9 in
Pages
244 Pages
Illustrations
158 color
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