Famous Indian Traditional Painting Style
India has many rich and diverse traditional painting styles, each with its unique techniques, themes, and regional influences, we list few of the most known ones.
Madhubani
Originating from Bihar, Madhubani paintings feature intricate designs depicting nature, mythology, and religious themes, characterized by bold lines and vibrant colors.
Tanjore
Hailing from Tamil Nadu, Tanjore paintings are known for their rich gold leaf work and use of precious and semi-precious stones, often depicting deities and religious scenes.
Pattachitra
Popular in Odisha, Pattachitra paintings are executed on cloth or palm leaves and depict mythological narratives with intricate details and vibrant colors.
Warli
Native to Maharashtra, Warli paintings are characterized by simple geometric shapes and depict scenes from everyday life, celebrating the harmony between humans and nature.
Mysore
Originating from Karnataka, Mysore paintings are known for their delicate lines, intricate details, and use of gold leaf, often portraying gods, goddesses, and mythological characters. Mysore paintings often get compared to or confused with the more well-known Tanjore paintings, but the two styles are quite distinct. Mysore paintings are more delicate and feature softer colours, finer brushwork and more intricate gesso work.
Kalamkari
Popular in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Kalamkari involves hand-painted or block-printed designs using natural dyes, often depicting mythological scenes and intricate floral motifs.