Kangra Painting | 13 Jul 2019

Kangra Miniature painting is one of the schools of Pahari paintings along with Guler, Basholi, Mandi, Chamba and Bilaspur.

• Miniatures are small-sized paintings, generally done in watercolor on cloth or paper.
• Nadir Shah’s invasion and conquest of Delhi in 1739 resulted in the migration of Mughal artists to the hills to escape the uncertainties of the plains.
  • These artists found ready patrons in the hills which led to the founding of the Kangra school of painting.
  • By the mid eighteenth century the Kangra artists developed a new style wherein the source of inspiration was the Vaishnavite traditions. Soft colours including cool blues and greens, and a lyrical treatment of themes distinguished Kangra painting.
• The name Kangra style is given to this group of painting for the reason that they are identical in style to the portraits of Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra.