Unique painting style of Bundi

The fascination for Rajasthan needs no introduction. This is one of the most beautiful states in India and also in the bucket list of tourists. The popularity of Rajasthan is age old worldwide. There will be a rare one who has not tasted the bati-churma, ker-sangar and delicious cuisine of this colorful state Rajasthan or enjoyed the Ghoomar and Kalbeliya dance. The architectural beauty of Palaces and Forts, heritage sites dominate the state of the Rajasthan with bright colors of Bandhani, Chunri and Bandhej.

Throughout the year, people celebrate all the festivals with great enthusiasm. People from abroad come to see the vibrant colorful culture of this state and also witness the camel races along with other festivals held in Pushkar, Bikaner, Jaisalmar.

The most notable festival is "Gangaur", in which women worship the idols made of Mahadev and Parvati Mata with full devotion and then those Deities are immersed with the grand Shobha Yatra. The entire Rajasthan is endowed with extraordinary and unprecedented cultural heritage. Rajasthan has cherished its cultural heritage through its handicrafts and art. The marvelous paintings carved on palaces and havelis are the manifestations of sublime beauty of its soul.

Rajasthan's painting style developed in Mewar, Bundi, Kota, Jaipur, Bikaner, Kishan Garh, Jodhpur (Mewar), Malwa, Sirohi. In this sequence, Bundi School of Painting is considered one of the most popular Rajasthani styles of Indian painting art. The beginning of Bundi art is considered in the seventeenth century from the princely state of Bundi. This pictorial art helps a lot in understanding the social life and political aspect of that time.

This painting art was mainly developed during the time of Rao Chhatrasal, Bhao Singh, Umed Singh and Bhishan Singh. The Chitrashala inside the Bundi Fort contains countless stories in itself. In that chitrashala, Raga-ragini, Barahmasa, Radha-Krishna, Landscape of forest, Raga mala, Krishna leelas, the paintings of queens waiting for their kings, elephants, Govardhan mountain hold by Shri Krishna, Kanhaiya, playing flute under the tree, the clouds, the queens gazing their own beauty, Flowers and leaves on the walls and roofs are well carved.

The major characteristics of Bundi painting style is by colors used in it. The entire range of miniature paintings uses highly bright colors. Mainly the miniature paintings of Bundi have a prominence of blue, green, black and red. Colors like indigo, pure gold and silver have been used to make pictures. All these painting arts are handmade which have been carved finely. In all these paintings, the queens are depicted in a very unique manner. In these paintings, the waist of queens and their friends is shown narrow. The tilted nose with round chin looks clearly from her transparent veil.

The painter has presented the motifs of Mangoes, Peepal, Bananas, Flower, Vines, Birds, Animals and gardens with very beautiful color combinations in every art. Along with this, the idea of ​​connecting the ragas of music with painting art is amazing in itself. It mainly includes six ragas which are Raga Bhairavi, Rag Malakausa, Raga Deepak, Raga Shri, Raga Hindola and Rag Megh. The four major stages of human life such as childhood, teenage, middle aged and old age indicated through the four seasons of the year, i.e. spring, summer, autumn and winter season.

Now-a-days, this art is facing some challenges. The knowledge of this art is almost negligible. Today, a handful of artists are trying to keep this style alive on old post cards, silk -made clothes, wood frames etc. Due to interest in rapidly changing lifestyle and high living standard today's younger generation is not interested in learning their traditional crafts and art. That’s why they are more inclined towards other employment opportunities. As an artist, they will get very low income which is not enough for survival.

This problem on the part of artists sounds logical, but should we leave our skills to die too early. Is there any idea that we can save our skills and art by conserving it? There may be a solution to these problems that such painting art styles should be made a part of the school syllabus so that students will be able to know and understand the art culture of their state. Learning a new art will also develop skills in them.  All such artists should be invited to the training institutes from time to time who will also provide a pleasant opportunity to keep the art alive. We should be vigilant enough to safe our art which is a reflection of our nation’s rich culture.