Tales of Love in Rajasthani Paintings

Contents: Preface. 1. Historical and geographical background of Rajasthan: i. Rajasthani painting - origin and development. ii. Mewar, Marwar, Hadoti and Dundhar. iii. Premakhyan "Tales of love in painting". iv. Vaidic and Puranic age. 2. The tradition and the tenets of the miniature paintings based upon love tales: i. The tradition. ii. Popular love tales of Rajasthan. 3. Preparation of colour, composition, and equipments : i. Preparation of colours. ii. Technique of preparing colours. iii. Colour and composition in paintings. iv. Various kinds of pens and brushes. v. Painting of nature and its cultural evaluation in the modern context. 4. Folios of manuscripts: i. Phoolji-phoolmati. ii. Sadaivachchha Sawalinga. iii. Chandan Malayagir Ri bat. iv. Chandra Kunwar Ri bat. v. Binjha-Sorath. Bibliography. Index.

"This work presents a study of Rajasthani Bat (stories) and their illustrated versions. Executed in the 18 - 19 centuries Rajasthan. They depict social and cultural life of the region. The author has selected themes based on love, which includes both tragedy and comedy.

The author has traced out history of love tales from Vedas and Puranas and comes down to the period with which he deals 18 - 19 c. This was the period when classical Rajasthani painting was declining but a fresh stimulation was felt in the form of these paintings. This art was patronised mainly by middle class nobility and traders.

The volume includes charming illustrations. Early phase is represented by illustrations of Gita-Govinda, Veli Krishna Rukmini Ri, Madhavanal Kamkandala, Malti Madhav, Madhu Malati, Panna Veeramde, Jalal Bubna etc.

The second phase, emphasizes the illustrations of Rajasthani bat (stories), Nayak and Nayika painted against colourful background, often suggesting, stop! do not read this, first look at pictures, then turn to words." (jacket)