MADHUBANI PAINTING

Madhubani painting is practiced in Bihar and Nepal. Painting is done with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks, using natural dyes and pigments.  The original inspiration for Madhubani art emerged from women’s craving for religiousness and an intense desire to be one with God. With the belief that painting something divine would achieve that desire, women began to paint pictures of gods and goddesses with an interpretation so divine that captured the hearts of many.

Central Cottage Emporium Madhubani painting depicts men and its association with nature and scenes & deity from ancient epics. The eye catchy and vibrant distinctive style captures the viewers’ attention. The main attraction like natural objects, plants, social events represented in paintings is loved by art lovers.

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PAINTINGS: ROGAN ART PAINTING

PAINTINGS: ROGAN ART PAINTING: Rogan art is a traditional art form of painting in Kutch, Gujarat. It is a rare and one of the many languishing art forms not well known i...

ROGAN ART PAINTING

Rogan art is a traditional art form of painting in Kutch, Gujarat. It is a rare and one of the many languishing art forms not well known in India. Only one or two families in Nirona village of Kucch Bhuj are practicing and keeping alive this art form. An iron stylus is the tool used for drawing in this craft. The colors from various mineral dyes are boiled in linseed oil or castor seeds oil for about 12 hours, and then thrown into cold water to produce Rogan. Rogan is mixed with stylus and raised to produce threads of pigment. These threads are put on the fabric, free hand to create designs. The motifs are drawn on one corner of the cloth, which is then folded and pressed to get printed impressions on the rest of the fabric for the uniformity of the design.

Cottage has a beautiful collection of this kind of painting. This painting is exquisitely hand painted with rogan paint. Beautiful Peacock motif with all its grandeur is drawn in the centre with intricate beautiful design on all side borders.

THANGKA PAINTING

Thangka paintings are part of Buddhist culture and are the objects of religious devotion. They are hung in the homes and monasteries. Thangkas are painted on cotton and silk fabrics. The paintings are done by water soluble dyes, stone colors along with herbs and pure gold. The learning of Thangka takes a vigorous training of about five to six years. There is a strict emphasis on iconic graphic proportions of the figures. Unique features are the eyes of the image are painted at the end with the elaborate eye opening ritual.

Avalokitesvara (Lord who looks down) is a bodhisattva is viewed as the anthropomorphized vehicle for the actual deity, serving to bring about a better understanding of Avalokitesvara to humankind. In the Mahayana teachings he is in general regarded as a high level Bodhisattva.

Cottage has a beautiful collection of this kind of painting depicting Bodhisatva Lord Avlokiteshwara in his cosmic form. He is shown with eleven heads and one thousand arms. The principal pair of hands is held against the chest in the gesture of adoration while the uppermost hands hold the rosary and the full blown lotus. The other four hands display the jewel and the gesture of charity on the right and the pot and the bow and arrow on the left. This exquisite painting has intricate borders with bodhisatvas on all sides.

MINIATURE PAINTINGS

Miniature paintings of India have a special place in the world of plastic art. Inspired by nature, mythology, literatures, Indian paintings patronized by the emperors, have created a special arena and always mesmerised the art lovers. These paintings are usually done on hand made paper. Pigments from minerals and vegetables with gum as binding medium are used for painting colours. Various states such as Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab have their own distinctive style of painting which are known by the name of the state. From emperor’s depiction, their courtly activities, war scenes to animal hunting, nature, love scenes to devotional themes all are beautifully depicted in these miniature paintings of India.

Cottage offers a good variety of Miniature paintings Like Shiva Pariwar which depicts Lord Shiva sitting on Kailash mountain (his domain)with his consort devi Parvathi sitting on his left side. The main attributes of Shiva is the third eye on his forehead, snake vasuki around his neck, a crescent moon and the holy river Ganges on his head, Trishul and Damroo (his musical instrument) are also shown beautifully in this painting. Another famous Miniature painting is Mughal Miniature painting.  Mughal Paintings marked a colorful phase of the Indian Cultural history, which is closely related to the emperor’s personalities. Treatment of background and the landscape gave new depth to the miniature paintings of Mughal period. With precise cutlines, soft tones and atmospheric effects an impressive range of visual is created in these miniature paintings.