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- Mysore Painting: Important form of classical South Indian painting.
- Origin: Mysore and surrounding areas, Karnataka.
- Patronage: Encouraged and nurtured by the Mysore rulers.
- Historical roots: Karnataka’s painting tradition is traced back to the Ajanta Caves period (2nd century BCβ6th century AD).
- The Mysore school evolved from the Vijayanagara school of painting.
- After the Battle of Talikota (1565) and fall of Vijayanagara, many painters migrated to places including Mysore, Tanjore and Surpur.
ποΈ Historical Development
- Raja Wodeyar I (1578β1617) rehabilitated several Vijayanagara painter families at Srirangapatna.
- Successive Mysore rulers continued patronage of painting, particularly mythological and temple/palace paintings.
- After Tipu Sultan’s death in 1799, the Wodeyars regained control of Mysore.
- Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (1799β1868) played a major role in reviving traditional painting.
- His patronage extended to music, sculpture, painting, dance and literature.
- Many surviving traditional Mysore paintings belong to this period.
π Sritattvanidhi
- Sritattvanidhi: Important manuscript associated with the Mysore School.
- Prepared under the patronage of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar.
- About 1,500 pages.
- Contains illustrations of:
- Gods and goddesses
- Mythological figures
- RagΠ°s
- Seasons
- Animals
- Plants
- Provides guidance on composition, colour, attributes and mood.
ποΈ Materials
- Traditional artists prepared their own materials.
- Colours obtained from natural vegetable and mineral sources such as:
- Squirrel-hair brushes were used for delicate work.
- Special grass-blade brushes were used for very fine lines.
- Natural stone- and plant-based colours contributed to the long-lasting freshness and lustre of paintings.
β¨ Characteristics & Technique
- Delicate lines
- Intricate brushwork
- Graceful figures
- Discreet use of bright vegetable colours
- Extensive use of lustrous gold leaf
- Themes predominantly include Hindu gods, goddesses and mythology.
- Paintings aim to evoke devotion and humility.
𧱠Gesso Work
- Gesso work: Important hallmark of traditional Karnataka painting.
- Used as an embossing material and covered with gold foil.
- In Mysore painting, gesso is generally low-relief and intricate.
- Used for:
- Clothing designs
- Jewellery
- Architectural details
- Pillars and arches surrounding deities
- After drying, the painting is glazed using a soft stone called Kaslupada Kallu.
- Combination of gold and colours gives the painting its characteristic brilliance.
β Exam Quick Revision
- Mysore Painting β Karnataka
- Type β Classical South Indian painting
- Origin β Mysore
- Major historical influence β Vijayanagara School
- Battle associated with migration of artists β Talikota, 1565
- Raja Wodeyar I β Rehabilitated Vijayanagara painters
- Major patron β Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar III
- Important manuscript β Sritattvanidhi
- Sritattvanidhi β ~1,500 pages
- Themes β Hindu gods, goddesses & mythology
- Traditional colours β Vegetable & mineral sources
- Special brush β Squirrel hair
- Distinctive feature β Gold leaf + delicate lines
- Gesso β Low-relief gold work
- Glazing stone β Kaslupada Kallu
- Purpose β Devotion & humility
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