Malwa Miniature

A deep dive into the Malwa school of miniature painting that reflects the architectural influence of that time in history. Let’s find out about its impact and executions and the wonderful tales it brought to life!

These miniature paintings tell us all we need to know about the culture of that specific time in history.

A famous piece from this school of painting is the illustrated poetic text of Amaru Shataka which dates back to 1652 CE and another was a Ragmala Painting by Madho Das from 1680 CE. Ragmala paintings were basically depictions of Ragas, which is a traditional melodic framework to visualize and depict the divine or the human form in various moods of romance and devotion by musicians and poets. Each of these Ragas is associated with specific moods and time. These Ragmala Paintings were arranged into albums with 36 or 42 folios organized into families. Each family had a head male raga with six female companions referred to as Raginis.

The paintings of this school were popular for their completely flat compositions which were done on black and dark brown backgrounds and the figures or subjects popped out bright in front of solid colour patches. The paintings distinctly portrayed a primitive charm and an uncomplicated childlike vision. The architecture in these paintings had a space of its own.

While the miniature paintings of the Rajasthani school are well known for their attention to detail, the Malwa school stands out entirely in its portrayal of architecture. The buildings are painted with a magnificent flair of beauty in every little detail that catches the eye. The style of the architecture showcases a beautiful blend of Indo-Islamic styles which creates the special ambience the Malwa miniature paintings hold.

It is often said that perhaps the rulers during this time that often commissioned these paintings were very specific about these elements in their artworks. From gorgeously painted terraces and pavilions to the iconic chattris and beautiful wall niches with quaint little vessels, flower vases and decanters, the paintings made sure all of them were shown in their full glory. The brightly coloured lower walls of the main structures often had “Parchinkari” or “Pietra dura” designs depicting floral patterns. The influence and inspiration from the region’s ornate architecture are thus, very visibly experienced in these paintings. From terraces, doorways to the animal and bird figures on the roof, nothing escaped the artist’s eye.

Therefore, The Malwa School is often referred to as the most representative of the Rajput courts that flourished between 1600 and 1700 CE.

However, a certain group of Malwa paintings found are actually said to be from the Bundelkhand region. These paintings were discovered in the Datia Palace and defy a Mughal influence and the mention of any patron kings and their portraits. It is often suggested that the Datia rulers often bought these from travelling artists who made the art of relevant popular themes like the Ramayana, Rasikpriya, Ragmala, Bhagavata Purana and so on.

Radha and Her Confidant Sit in an Open Room Source: Wikimedia Commons