Splendid Malwa Paintings
Dscovering the collection at Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India (1600 - 1799).
Hindola MahalSalar Jung Museum
Where is Malwa?
Malwa is a Central Indian region with a rich history; a region ruled by Avanti kingdom, Mauryans, Malavas, Guptas, Paramaras, Delhi and Malwa Sultanates, Mughals, Marathas and the British. Mandu, Ujjain and Dhar were important capitals in Malwa's history.
Malwa School of painting
‘Malwa painting’, a 17th-century school of Rajasthani/Central Indian miniature painting was centred largely in Malwa and Bundelkhand in the modern state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The Malwa School evolved from the 13th to 18th centuries.
The Malwa School
The school was conservative, and little development is seen from the earliest examples, such as the Rasikapriya of Keshavdas (a poem analysing the love sentiment) series dated 1636, and the Amarushataka (a Sanskrit poem of the late 17th century).
Influences on the School
The art of this region was influenced by the Rajput school of painting, due to its geographical proximity to Rajasthan. The school developed from the 17th century when the Mughal emperors granted fiefs to the Rajputs in the region.
Subjects of the painting
There are Ramayana illustrations, Ragamalas, Nayaka-Nayika bheda illustrating the ‘Rasikapriya’ of Keshavdas, the ’Amarushataka’ illustrations and the Radha-Krishna theme, the Bhagavata Purana and the legendary love story of Baz Bahadur and Roopmati.
Architecture in focus
Architecture is an important aspect in Malwa miniatures. Malwa’s architectural style developed mostly in 15th and 16th century. Combination of arch with pillar, lintel and beam, use of coloured marble, precious stones, glazed tiles and grand stately steps are seen in paintings.
More features of the School
The paintings are flat compositions, black and brownish backgrounds, figures shown against a solid colour patch with refined drawing styles, bright colours, and use of compartments to convey the content.
Jain and Mughal influence
A Mughal influence is present in both ornaments and costumes, which feature typical black tassels and striped skirts. Its two-dimensional format is influenced by Jain manuscripts. Malwa’s miniature paintings are well appreciated for their vibrancy and intricate brushwork.
Timeline of Malwa School
Between the 13th to mid-16th centuries, Malwa was ruled first by the Delhi Sultanate and later the Malwa Sultanate. During this time, its capital, Mandu, became an important centre of art and culture. Manuscript painting developed, which followed the Western Indian style.
Timeline of Malwa School
The school flourished between 1600-1700; is representative of the Hindu Rajput courts. Mandu was conquered by Mughals in mid-16th century and manuscript painting declined somewhat. The region got divided into Rajput principalities and local painting style followed Rajput idiom.
The Salar Jung Museum Collection
The museum has an interesting collection; paintings on the Ramayana theme, Bhagavata Purana, Krishna’s life and the Rasikapriya of Keshavdas, Amarushataka and also the Nayika and Ragamala paintings which enrich the repertoire.
Let us make a journey of discovery!
Illustration from Rasikapriya (1634/1634)Salar Jung Museum
Illustration from Rasikapriya
Radha seated on white bolster outside a room anxiously waiting for somebody. most probably Krishna. A ‘sakhi’ standing in front of her. Hindi inscription on top and below of the painting, Malwa, circa 1634.
Illustration from 'Lanka Kanda' of Ramayana (1710/1710)Salar Jung Museum
Scene from 'Lanka kanda' of the Ramayana
Sri Rama seated under a tree on an elevated place along with brother Lakshmana at his back. Hanuman along with other two devotes has come to pay their respects to Rama. Four monkeys and two bear are shown in two panels at the bottom, circa 1710.
Ragamala painting (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
Ragamala painting
‘Gunakari ragini’ showing a lady seated near a potted flowering plant in the interior of a palace awaiting her beloved, Ragamala painting, 18th century.
Illustration to Amarushataka (1625/1625)Salar Jung Museum
Illustration to a Amarushataka
Illustration to Amarusataka - 100 lyrics of poet Amaru who lived in 8th century. Here we see a ‘nayika’ with her confidante or ‘sakhi’. A peacock on top of the pavilion could symbolically indicate that they are discussing her love interest, circa 1652.
Theme of Yamalarjuna (1700/1725)Salar Jung Museum
Theme of Yamalarjuna
The theme of 'Yamalarjuna' (twin Arjuna trees) showing two demi-gods Nalakuvara and Manigriva as trees; Yashoda with child Krishna in front of them, who releases the demi gods by uprooting the trees, from 18th century.
Scene from Rasikapriya (1710/1710)Salar Jung Museum
Theme from Rasikapriya
A folio from a 'Rasikapriya' depicting game of 'hide & seek' (Krishna seated on a lotus with a ‘gopi’) closing his eyes, three ‘gopis’ by the side of trees with tent on top, circa 1710.
Kamod ragini (1600/1699)Salar Jung Museum
Kamod ragini
A Ragamala depicting 'Kamod ragini' showing a lady feeding a peacock in a grove. which probably signifies the absent beloved, dated to the 17th century.
Illustration from a Padmavat (1710/1710)Salar Jung Museum
Scene from a Padmavat
Illustrated page from a 'Padmavat' showing a noble seated on a carpet talking with two saints and several men behind; sea with boats in foreground, circa 1710.
Illustration from a Rasikapriya (1600/1699)Salar Jung Museum
Illustration from Rasikapriya
An illustration from a 'Rasikapriya' showing a lady seated and a maid standing in front of her and two men are also seen conversing, she may be a princess of a palace; on a moonlit night with text in Sanskrit at top, dated to the 17th century.
Vibhas ragini (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
Vibhas ragini
Ragamala painting depicting 'Vibhas Ragini' showing a lover holding a garland and a sword in his hands, leaving his beloved who is sleeping in a palace, dated to the 18th century.
Radha-Krishna in a pavillion (1650/1650)Salar Jung Museum
Radha and Krishna
In a pavillion Radha and Krishna are depicted embracing, two lady attendants against red background and four persons standing near a tree discussing, painted against green background, dated to the mid-17th century.
Krishna subdues the horse demon (1600/1699)Salar Jung Museum
Krishna subdues horse demon
Krishna and others including Balaram subdue the demon in horse form. Three black stripes in the foreground, dated to the 17th century.
Ragamala painting (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
Ragamala Painting
A winged bird-god reminiscent of Garuda sitting in a kneeling 'anjali' position. Four ladies performing music. One lady clapping the cymbals. Another lady ringing bell. Third lady playing flute while a fourth lady beating the dholak to create devotional music, resembles depiction of Raag Bhairav, from Malwa, dated to the 17th century.
Episodes from Hindu mythology (1600/1699)Salar Jung Museum
Episodes from Hindu mythology
Painting depicting different episodes from Hindu mythology, in various panels, dated to the 17th century.
KRISHNA SWALLOWING FIRE (1600/1699)Salar Jung Museum
Krishna swallowing fire
Krishna swallowing fire, an incident at Vrindavan, four cowherds two on either side and four cows on the foreground, circa 1650.
Scenes from Bhagavata purana (1780/1780)Salar Jung Museum
Scenes from Bhagavata Purana
Illustration depicting scenes from Bhagawata purana in three panels, scenes from Krishna’s life relating to the Akrura episode, circa 1780.
Malasri ragini (1670/1670)Salar Jung Museum
Malasri ragini
Ragamala painting of 'Malasri Ragini'; depicts a lady seated plucking flowers as she waits for her beloved, and another lady, her confidante standing before her in an ornate pavillion, clouds in the sky is the background, circa 1670.
Devagandhar ragini (1680/1680)Salar Jung Museum
Devagandhara ragini
Ragamala painting of Devagandhara Ragini, depicts a sadhu seated side by a temple on a tiger skin with rosary in his right hand and a flower in his left. Water pot in front of him. Hindi inscription on top of the painting in margin, circa 1680.
Vilavali ragini (1670/1670)Salar Jung Museum
Vilavali ragini
Ragamala painting of ‘Vilavali Ragini’ depicts a lady seated near a bolster and adorning herself looking into a mirror. Her maid holds the mirror, circa 1670.
Text and Curation: Soma Ghosh
Photography: M. Krishnamurthy and Bahadur Ali
Research Assistance: Dinesh Singh and E. Rajesh
Special thanks to : Shri Ashish Goyal, IIS, Director, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India.
Dr. G. Kusum, Curator, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India.
References -
1. Chaitanya, Krishna (1982) A history of Indian painting – Rajasthani traditions. New Delhi:
Abhinav Publications
2. https://mapacademy.io/article/malwa-school-of-painting/ (accessed on 07.06.2024)
3. https://www.britannica.com/art/Malwa-painting (accessed on 07.06.2024)
4. https://www.britannica.com/place/Malwa (accessed on 15.06.2024)
