Wall Paintings of North and Central Gujarat: A Pictorial Journey

Contents: I. A Pictorial Journey:  1. Painting Tradition and Interpretations. 2. Importance of Wall Paintings. 3. Gujarat: A Visual Perspective. 4. Wall Paintings as Folk Paintings. 5. Development of Wall Paintings in Gujarat    . 6. Areas in Gujarat where Wall Paintings are Found. 6. Depiction of Wall Paintings in Gujarat. 7. Maratha Influence on Wall Paintings in Gujarat. 8. Decline of the Art of Wall Paintings in Gujarat. 9. Technique and Process of Making Wall Paintings. 10. Technique of Narration of Wall Paintings. Conclusion.  II. Collection of Photographs of Wall Paintings:  11. Wall Paintings of Rughnath Temple, Patan City. 12. Wall Paintings of Baijnath Mahadev Temple, Vasan Village. 13. Wall Paintings of Kheda District. 14. Wall Paintings of Swaminarayan Temple, Vedtal Village. 15. Wall Paintings of Bochasan and Rudel Villages. 16. Wall Paintings of Kathol Village. 17. Wall Paintings of Bhadarwa Village. 18. Wall Paintings of Rusheshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhadarwa Village. 19. Wall Paintings of Rudra Mahadev Temple, Sarsa Village. 20. Wall Paintings of Kashivishwanath Mahadev temple, Chanod Village. 21. Wall Paintings of Sarveshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhilapur Village. 22. Wall Paintings of Dhumeshwar Mahadev Temple, Bhilapur Village. 23. Wall Paintings of Hanfeshwar Mahadev Temple, Narmada District. 24. Wall Paintings of Tambekar Wada , Vadodara City. 25. Wall Paintings of Kamnath Mahadev Temple, Vadodara City. 26. Wall Paintings of Khandoba Temple, Vadodara City. 27. Wall Paintings of Mairal Ganapati Temple and Fadnis No Wado, Vadodara City. 28. Wall Paintings of Gajera Village. 29. Wall Paintings of Swaminarayan Temple, Bharuch City. 30. Wall Paintings of Sihor Darbargadh, Bhavnagar District. Glossary. Glossary of Mythological References.

The wall paintings of Gujarat, a form of representative art that traces its origins back to the seventeenth century, are vibrant depictions of the culture of the land and the times in all its manifestations. The author’s extensive travels through the small towns, villages and cities of north and central Gujarat have helped him build a collection as comprehensive as it is varied and particular. The book is a pictorial record of an art form that is now almost completely extinct. The range of these painting is truly awe-inspiring. They not only portray various mythological situations and instances from local folk tales but even daily chores and sometimes just images from nature. This range, which makes it a truly representative art form, betrays its popularity and relevance in its time. Culled from temples, mansions, havelis and houses, these paintings are artifacts of great socio-historical importance. They are an integral part of the nation’s artistic and cultural heritage. (jacket)