Murals of Tira Sujanpur

Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. The temples. 3. Arrangement of themes. 4. Themes on Siva. 5. Themes on Devi. 6. Themes on Vishnu. 7. Themes from the epics. 8. Themes on Krishna. 9. Secular themes. 10. Baramasa. 11. Analysis of the murals. Select bibliography.

From the foreword: In the annals of history of our country, the contribution of the states, known in past as the Hill States of Punjab and now forming a part of modern Himachal Pradesh, have played an important role in promoting Art and Culture. However, collectively they stand taller in their contribution to promoting Indian miniature paintings. During late seventeenth century and early eighteenth century the rulers of these states patronised painters irrespective of their political agenda. They welcomed without any prejudice the families of painters who moved from one state to another. This liberal approach was undoubtedly the cause for the painters to involve themselves with an undivided devotion to their craft and they created innumerable masterpieces, which are collectively known as the Pahari art, bulk of it are the miniature paintings with a few remains of murals seen in some forts and temples. It is an indisputable fact that this collection of paintings has no parallel in the entire gamut of Indian paintings. Among several sub-schools of the Pahari art, the Kangra School is distinct for its sensual composition of Sringara. I need not extol its virtues as there are several richly illustrated volumes written by erudite scholars available in the stands.