REPRESENTATION OF ARCHITECTURE IN INDIAN PAINTINGS WITH REFERENCE TO RAJASTHANI MINIATURE PAINTINGS

Abstract

Architecture is mother of all arts. Every other art form like painting, sculpture, dance, music, drama etc developed under the shelter of architecture. But sometimes it is vice versa as Indian paintings also provided space to architecture which added a new dimension to world art. The typical style of representing architecture is one of the notable features of Indian paintings. The distinctive style of representation shows multiple views of architectural elements placed in the painting to narrate stories. Surprisingly this typical characteristic has been observed since the tradition of paintings began. Evidences are found in the early paintings like Ajanta caves followed by Jain palm leaf manuscript, Mughal manuscripts and finally in Rajasthnai miniature paintings. The method of representation of architecture is considered as a special feature of Indian paintings that correlate the ideology of 20^th century Cubism.

The history of India is ever changing which ruled by different monarchy. The examples of their establishments discovered through ancient art works. These evidences tell us the development of various art forms, philosophy and life style of rulers and the common men. This study would be a fundamental understanding of artistic expression and application in the art of painting.

This study is also being made to understand the method of representation according to story, variety of architectural composition in paintings, the traditional thought process of a painter, transformation of architectural elements in different regions.   This research is an attempt to bring a logical clarification to understand the paradigms of architecture in Rajasthani miniature paintings.