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A comprehensive book on the miniature paintings of Rajasthan, it highlights the distinctiveness of the painting style* This volume contains an exquisite collection of paintings, painstakingly sourced from museums and private collectors* The study covers the various regions and rulers of Rajasthan, their influence on this style and the significant themes of the miniature paintings. A large bulk of Indian miniature paintings comes from Rajasthan. These miniatures are endowed with warm colors, primitive vigor, directness of expression and all that corresponds to the unique land of Rajasthan. They encompass its fun and festivities, the charming women and heroic men who fought with valour, loved with great zeal and warmth, celebrated each moment of life and died like great heroes. The major schools of miniatures of Rajasthan are Mewar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Jaipur, Alwar, Bundi, Kotah, Kishangarh and Nathdwara. The Rajasthani painter saw hardly any contradiction in combining romance with religion, or the mundane with the transcendental. Rajasthani Miniatures: The Magic of Strokes and Colors presents, through a detailed narrative and exquisite photographs, a glimpse into this art that has spanned several millennia. It traces the stylistic sources of Rajasthani miniatures, discovering elements that go beyond geography and time to reveal Rajasthani art's generic growth. The miniatures have varying styles, belong to different schools and have been painted under many succeeding patrons with different tastes and preferences. This book reflects the uniqueness of Rajasthani art, where shades and strokes come together in what almost appears as a divine interplay to create magic.

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Stylistic Sources. 3. Perception of Nature. 4. Medium, Style and Color. 5. Significant Themes. 6. Schools of Rajasthani; Paintings. Acknowledgements. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.