A40: Indian Paintings, Principles, Pre-Historic Paintings | Indian Art & Culture by Nitin Singhania

0:00 Jai Hind. We had finished the discussion about Coins in Ancient and Medieval India in the previous session. We are starting a new chapter with today's session. The chapter is titled Indian Paintings. It is an important chapter in itself. In today's session we will talk about the principles of paintings. What are the principles of paintings? About all of that. Today we will read and talk. Secondly we will talk about pre-historic paintings. What has been the story of pre-historic paintings? We will read and talk about all that today too. Another question that arises is, what does this term pre-history or pre-historic mean ? And if we talk in very simple language, then

0:49 all the events that happened before the invention of writing are placed in the category of pre-history or pre-historic. So secondly we will talk about pre-historic paintings. And finally we will read about Bhimbetka Cave Paintings and talk about Lakh Udayar Cave Paintings. Today we have to read and talk about all these topics. Look, let's begin. If we talk about a basic introduction, the history of paintings can be traced back to ancient and medieval periods. The history of paintings can be traced back in the true sense to ancient and medieval periods. And

1:37 this is the period when paintings were being illustrated inside books. When paintings were being made inside books. Then there will come a time when miniature style will be seen in the paintings. And this miniature style of painting will dominate the Mughal court. This will dominate the Rajput courts. And then ultimately the Europeans will arrive in our country. And with the arrival of the Europeans, Western influence would be seen on the art of painting as well. How did this art of painting progress and what changes were seen in it.

2:27 What kind of developments took place in the art of painting in different phases. We will read and discuss about all these in detail in this chapter. First of all we will talk about the principles of painting. What are the principles of painting ? One thing is that the history of paintings in India can be traced back to primitive rock paintings. Primitive means old. Primitive means old. So the history of paintings in India can be traced back to the primitive rock paintings of Bhimbetka. Bhimbetka is a very important place in MP and inside Bhimbetka one can see primitive rock

3:12 paintings. To Mirzapur. Primitive rock paintings can also be seen in Mirzapur. And to Panchmani. Panchmani is also a very important place in Madhya Pradesh and primitive rock paintings can also be seen here. So one important thing is that the history of paintings in India can be traced back to the primitive rock paintings of Bhimbetka, Mirzapur and Panchmani. Then after this, a time phase will come when painted pottery will be seen during the Indus Valley Civilization and we have already read about the painted pottery of the Indus Valley Civilization, but the

4:00 real birth of painting in India will be seen during the Gupta Age, so this is also important in itself that when was the real birth of painting seen in India? Was seen during Gupta age. A book will be written in the third century AD. The name of that book was Kamasutra. Kamasutra was written by Vatsayana and Vatsayana in his book Kamasutra. Talked about the six main principles of Indian art. Watson in his book Kamasutra has talked

4:46 about the six main principles of Indian art or the six mean Lims or the six mean Shadangas and this is important in itself. Watson in his book Kama Sutra talked about the six main principles of painting in Indian art or the six main shadrangas. And what are these six main principles or six main Shadangas? The first is difference in form. In Roop Bhed, we talk about the looks and appearance. There is a painting, some art, what should its look be? What should its appearance be like? A discussion was held about it inside Roop Bhed. Second Shadanga, second principal proof. There is an

5:34 object, there is a subject, what should its proportion be like? What should its measurement be like? What should its structure be like? This has been discussed in the evidence. Third Shadanga or Third Main Principal Bhava. What should the expression be like? Within his conversational expressions. Fourth Principal or Fourth Shadanga Lavan Scheme. What should the aesthetic composition be like? That aesthetic composition was discussed within the Lavan plan. The Fifth Main Principle or Fifth Shadanga Similarity. What kind of rebalance should it be ? What type of identification should there be

6:21 ? Inside his negotiated resemblance. And the last main principal Varnika Bhanga. In this Varnika Bhanga, the way in which colours and brushes should be used has been discussed. It is a very simple and easy conversation. There are two-three things you still have to remember. One thing is that the history of paintings in India can be traced back to the primitive rock paintings of Bhimbetka, Mirzapur and Panchmani. Secondly, the real birth of paintings in India started during the Gupta age. Apart from this it is also important that

7:07 in the third century AD Watson talked in his book Kamasutra about six main principles , about six main Shadangas. And what are these six main Shadangas? One is the difference in form. Which talks about looks and appearances. The second is evidence which talks about the measurements and structure of the object. The third is Bhaav which talks about expression. Fourth is Lavan Scheme which talks about aesthetic composition. The fifth one is similar which talks about resonance. And the sixth is Varnika Bhanga which talks about the use of brush and colours. Well, firstly in Vatsyayana's Kamasutra, it talks about the six main

7:53 principles or six main shades of Indian art, but apart from this, references to the craft of painting, this art of painting, are found in Brahminical literature as well as in Buddhist literature. For example, we have talked about the coating. Lapa Chitra Meaning Representation of Myths and Lore on Textiles. What was this representation of myths and lower beliefs on textiles called? It's called coating painting. Second article. When lines and drawings are incorporated and included in these paintings, then what is it

8:40 called? That was called the article. Then there is a Dhali picture. What are the paintings that are made on the floor called ? They were called washed pictures. And one is Pat Chitra. What are those paintings called which are made on cloth and palm leaves ? They were called patta chitras. Very simple. References to this art and craft of painting can be seen even in Brahminical literature and Buddhist literature. For example, this picture talks about the representation of myths and lore on textiles. The

9:25 article talks about how lines and drawings are incorporated within the painting. Dhuli Chitra: The paintings which are made on the floor are called Dhali Chitra and Pat Chitra: The paintings which are made on cloth and on palm leaves are called Pat Chitra. Infact a very popular play is Mudrakasha. And this play named Mudrakasha was written by Vishakha Dutt. Vishakha Dutt has mentioned many paintings in her play Mudrakasha. Vishakha Dutt in her play Mudraka has

10:10 talked about many paintings and also about different styles of painting. Like Chowk Pitaka has been talked about. Chowk Pitaka meaning isolated framed drawings. What are isolated framed drawings called? They are called Chowk Pitaka. Long scrolls of paintings by Dighal Pita. What are those long scrolls of paintings called? He has been called Dighal of the father. Isolated Paintings by Yam Pita. What are isolated paintings called? Yampita has been called. It is a very simple and easy

10:57 conversation. These small terms, these small things, keep them in your mind together. Let us revise it once again. Look, what have we talked about so far? One important thing is that the history of paintings in India can be traced back to the primitive rock paintings of Bhimbetka, Mirzapur and Panchmani. Make sure to keep the names of these three locations in mind. Where are the primitive rock paintings from? Of Bhimbetka, Mirzapur and Panchmarhi. Secondly, also remember when did the real birth of paintings begin in India? It started with Gupta Edge. It is also important in itself that

11:45 Watson talked about it in his book Kamasutra in the third century AD. About the Six Main Principles or Six Main Shadangas of Indian Art. What are the six main principles? Difference in form, proof, feeling, beauty plan, similarity and colour scheme. Apart from this, basically remember that references to painting are also found in Brahminical literature and Buddhist literature. Like a coating. Which is representation of myths and loads on textiles. The article is what means incorporation of lines and drawings. Dhuli Chitra is a painting, it is a painting on floor, Pat Chitra is a painting, it is a

12:30 painting on cloth and palm leaves. Apart from this, this is also important in itself, there is a very popular play Mudrakasha which has been written by Vishakha Dutt and in this play, Vishakha Dutt has mentioned a lot of paintings and talked about different styles of painting. Like Chowk Pita, Chok Pita means isolated frame drawings. Dighal Pita, Dighal Pita means long scrawls of paintings. And yampa pitaka, yampa pitaka means isolated paintings. Hopefully, these little things will be settling in your mind to some extent as you go along. we proceed. Before that press the like button on the video.

13:16 Pressing like is a must. Because that's how YouTube functions. When you press the like button on a video, YouTube considers the video and gives it a slight push. So hit the like button. Share it on your social media handles , on WhatsApp etc. with your friends. Share it with all those who are interested in this and are studying related things. If you have not subscribed to the channel then for sure subscribe to the channel. And if you are capable and want to help, then you can help us by clicking on the Join button or you can contribute by scanning the QR code. Then after this comes the talk about pre-historic paintings. And what has been the story of pre-historic paintings ? Look at these pre- historic paintings. They were generally

14:04 executed. These were generally made on top of the raqs. A simple thing is that these pre-historic paintings were generally executed. These were generally made on top of the raqs. And when you make a painting on the rocks, what were those engravings called which were made on the rocks? Those engravings were called petroglyphs. What was it called? These were called petroglyphs. Very simple. If we talk about pre-historic paintings, then these pre-historic paintings were generally executed. These are generally created on top of the Raqs.

14:50 And what are the engravings called that were made on the Raqs to make these ? They are called petroglyphs. When were rock paintings first discovered in India? The first rock paintings in India were discovered in 1867-68. And these rock paintings were first discovered in 1867-68. Who discovered this? Discovered by Archie Bald. When were rock paintings first discovered in India? Discovered in 186768. And who discovered it

15:36 ? Discovered by Archie Bald. And the earliest pre-historic paintings discovered in India. The earliest pre-historic painting that has been discovered. Where was it discovered? In Bhimbetka Caves. Discovered in Bhimbetka Caves of Madhya Pradesh. And when was it discovered ? Discovered in 1957. Don't be confused. We are talking about two different things. What did we say first? When were rock paintings first discovered in India? Rock paintings were first discovered in India in 186768. And who discovered it? Discovered by Archie Bald. And secondly, what are we saying

16:23 that where were the earliest pre- historic paintings discovered in India ? It has been discovered in Bhimbetka Caves. And when was it discovered ? Discovered in 1957. These pre-historic paintings are seen by dividing them into three major phases. These pre-historic paintings are seen by dividing them into three major phases. What are the three major faces? There is an Upper Paleolithic period of painting. The second Mesolithic period is of painting. And the third is the Chalcolithic period of painting. Pre-historic paintings are seen divided into three major phases.

17:09 Which ones? One is Upper Paleolithic period, second is Mesolithic period and third is Chalcolithic period. We will talk about these three major faces one by one. First of all we will talk about the Upper Paleolithic period. The Upper Paleolithic period dates from about 40,000 to 10,000 BC. Upper Paleolithic Period. And this is the Upper Paleolithic Period, what special things were seen in the paintings that were found during this period ? One is the rock shelter caves that can be seen during this period. The walls of those rock shelter caves are made of quartzite. The walls of the rock shelter caves were

17:55 built and made out of quartzite. And what was the mineral most commonly used for painting during this phase, during this period ? That was ochre. Which mineral is commonly used? Geru or which is also called Oche. Ochre was mixed with lime and water. And various colours were produced. Different colors were produced by using many different minerals. And through those colours paintings were executed during this Upper Paleolithic period. This is the Upper Paleolithic Period, during this period white color, dark red

18:40 color and green color were used to depict large animals. White color was used to distinguish large animals like elephants etc. Dark red color was used and green color was used. Additionally, to depict hunters, red color is usually used to depict hunters and green color is usually or mostly used to depict dancers and human figurines. This is a very simple conversation. During the Upper Paleolithic period, the walls of rock shelter caves were built with quartzite. What is the most important thing

19:26 ? What is the most common mineral used ? The most common mineral used is ochre which is also called ochre. If we talk about colours, different minerals were used. To produce different colours. Generally white color, dark red color and green color are used to represent large animals. Red color was used to represent hunters. And green color was used to show the dancers. Then after this Upper Paleolithic period came the Mesolithic period. And what is the time phase of this Mesolithic period? Between about 10,000 and 4,000 BC. And this is the

20:12 Mesolithic period, what colours were mainly used in the paintings that were made during this period ? Red colour was used. The size of the paintings of this Mesolithic period will be comparatively smaller, a little smaller and what was most commonly depicted in the paintings of the Mesolithic period? Most commonly group hunting, grazing and riding were depicted. Let's also do a little comparison. We talked about the Upper Paleolithic Period, which mineral was most commonly used during this period ? Ochre was being used. And

20:59 if we talk about colours, then white colour, dark red colour and green colour were being used to show large animals. Red color was being used to represent the hunters. And green color was being used to show the dancers. But if we talk about the Mesolithic period, then which colours were mainly used in the paintings of this period? Red colour was used. The size of the painting has become comparatively smaller. And what is most commonly shown? Group hunting was shown. Grazing was shown and riding was shown. And then came the Chalcolithic period. This Chalcolithic period

21:45 existed between approximately 2500 and 700 BC. And during this Chalcolithic period, mostly the use of green and yellow colours was seen. See the comparison here also. Mostly red colour was used in the Mesolithic period. But in the Chalcolithic period mostly green color and yellow color were used. And the paintings from the Chalcolithic period mostly depicted battle scenes. Battle scenes of men riding horses and elephants were depicted, and many paintings from the Chalcolithic period also show figures holding bows and arrows.

22:30 What was commonly depicted in the Mesolithic period? Group hunting was shown, grazing was shown, riding was shown and so on. But in the Chalcolithic period, battle scenes were depicted, bows were depicted , arrows were depicted. This image that you are seeing is an image of a pre-historic painting. There used to be very simple paintings. Because the paintings were just starting to develop then. Well, this is the Chalcolithic period, during this period we can see a lot of paintings. In fact, some samples of paintings and writings during the Chalcolithic period are also found in the Ashokan and Gupta Brahmi scripts. And what this means is that people inhabited the caves from the Ashokan time

23:16 period to the Gupta time period. People inhabited the caves for a long historical period. People lived in caves and when people lived in caves they made paintings on the cave walls. His writing samples can also be seen. So these Ashokan and Gupta Brahmi scripts are visible. This indicates that people were inhabiting the caves for a long period of time. There is a place called Narsinghgarh in Madhya Pradesh and paintings of the Chalcolithic period can be seen here. And what

24:01 is special about these paintings of Narsinghgarh? These paintings show skins of spotted deer left for drawing. In these paintings of Narsinghgarh , the skin of the spotted deer is shown left for drawing. And what does this indicate ? This indicates that human beings had perfected the art of tanning skins. These skins were tanned. Why was it done? Animal skins were tanned. The deer's skin was tanned. Why? Because after tanning it, this skin was used to provide shelter. This skin was used for clothing purposes. So in the Nursing Fort also one can see paintings from the Chalcolithic period which show skins of spotted deer

24:49 left for drawing. Other paintings can also be seen during this phase. And these other paintings depict musical instruments. Apart from this, there is a Jogi Marg cave site inside the Ramgarh Hills in Chhattisgarh. There is a Jogi Marg cave site inside the Ramgarh Hills in Chhattisgarh and in these Jogi Marg cave sites, paintings from the later period of the Chalcolithic period can be seen. And these paintings date back to around 1000 BC. So, in the Jogimar cave sites located in the Ramgarh Hills of Chhattisgarh, paintings of the later period can be seen in these Jogimar cave sites. In

25:36 fact, there are many other sites in Chhattisgarh where paintings of the Chalcolithic period can be seen. For example, there is a Korea district in Chhattisgarh. Godsar rock art sites can be seen in this Koriya district. And Kohabur rock art sites can be seen. Godsar and Kohabor rock art sites are seen in the Korea district of Chhattisgarh. And here also similar paintings of the Chalak period can be seen. There is a Durg District in Chhattisgarh itself and in this Durg District there is a Chitwa Dongri. There is a place named Chitwa Dongri in Durg District. And in Chitwa Dongri, the Chinese figure of riding a donkey can be seen. A Chinese figure

26:23 riding a donkey can be seen. Pictures of dragons can be seen. So this Chitwa Dongri is in the Durg district of Chhattisgarh, here also paintings of the Chalcolithic period can be seen. Many early cave paintings can also be seen in Orissa. Like inside Orissa there is a Guda Handi rock shelter and there is a Yogi Mata rock shelter. Early cave paintings can be seen inside the Guda Handi Rock Shelter and the Yogi Mata Rock Shelter. Apart from this there is Kup Gal in Telangana. Kup Galu in Telangana: Early cave paintings are also seen here. There are one or two sites in Karnataka also where early cave paintings can be seen. If we talk about the earliest paintings in India, then the

27:13 earliest paintings found in India belong to the Upper Paleolithic times. The earliest paintings found in India belong to Upper Paleolithic times. And in which states of our country are the majority of the cave paintings seen ? They are seen in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar and Uttarakhand. Look, this is a very simple conversation. First of all, try to remember a little comparison that what was happening in the Paleolithic period ? Ochre used to be the most commonly used mineral. Colors white, dark red, green were being used to

27:58 identify large animals. Red was being used to represent the hunters. And green was being used to depict the dancers. To showcase the dancers. What was the main colour used during the Mesolithic period? Red was being used. The size of the painting had become a little smaller. And what was most commonly being expected? Group Hunting, Grazing and Riding. During the Chalcolithic period, most commonly green and yellow colours were being used. What else was being shown? Battle scenes were being shown. Also remember that there is a place named Narsinghgarh in MP where paintings of Chalcolithic period can be seen and they show skins of spotted deer left for drawing. There is a Jogimar Cave site inside the Ramgarh Hills in Chhattisgarh. Where paintings of the

28:46 later period of the Chalcolithic period can be seen. Durg district is in Chhattisgarh. There is a place named Chitwa Dongri. Many paintings from the Chalcolithic period can be seen in this Chit Chitwa Dongri. Early cave paintings are also found in Orissa. The earliest paintings discovered in India belong to the Upper Paleolithic period. And in which states of our country are the majority of the cave paintings seen? In Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar and Uttarakhand. It is a very simple and basic conversation. Then after this comes the talk about Bhimbetka Cave Paintings. And how important are the Bhimbetka cave paintings ? You must have understood this by now.

29:33 Where are you located? Located in Madhya Pradesh. These Bhimbetka cave paintings were given the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. In 2003, the Bhimbetka Cave Paintings were given the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Who discovered these Bhimbetka cave paintings? Discovered by V S Wakankar. V.S. Wakankar discovered these Bhimbetka cave paintings. The oldest paintings are found in Bhimbetka Cave Paintings. It is believed that these oldest paintings are about 3000 years old. All the images that you are seeing are of Bhimbetka cave

30:19 paintings. There are two-three things. Firstly, where are the Bhimbetka cave paintings? It is in Madhya Pradesh. In 2003, these Bhimbetka cave paintings were given the status of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are the Bhimbetka cave paintings. Who discovered them? Discovered by V S Wakankar. The oldest paintings found in Bhimbetka Cave Paintings. It is believed that these paintings are about 300 years old. And a continuity is seen in the Bhimbetka cave paintings. This means that the continuous evolution of paintings from about 1 lakh BC to 1000 AD can be seen in the Bhimbetka Cave

31:05 Paintings. The Bhimmetka paintings also belong to the Upper Paleolithic period. Paintings from the Mesolithic period can also be seen. Paintings from the Chalcolithic period can also be seen. Paintings from the early historic and medieval period can also be seen in these Bhimbetka paintings. But most of the Bhimbetka cave paintings belong to the Mesolithic age. Which age does she belong to? Belongs to the Mesolithic Age. These are Beambetka's paintings , everyday life is depicted in these paintings. What the everyday life of pre-historic human beings looked like has been depicted in these Bhimbetka cave paintings. You can see in the paintings that these are very simple

31:50 paintings. Social life was shown. Like children were shown playing. It was shown as women preparing food. Community life was depicted. Various animals shown. Like elephants were shown, bison were shown, deer were shown, peccaries were shown, snakes were shown. Some geometric designs and symbols are also shown in these Bhimbetka cave paintings. Apart from the cave paintings of Bhimbitta, there are some other important sites. Where these early cave paintings can be seen. Like Bellary, like Panchmarhi, like Rajgarh, like Tenmalai. So these are other important sites where early Face's cave paintings can be seen. Now look, this is broadly speaking that in these

32:37 Bhimbetka cave paintings, social life has been depicted. Everyday life of pre-historic humans shown. A marked continuity is visible. Paintings of almost every face can be seen inside these Bhimbetka caves. What are the factual things you need to remember ? Where is it located? In Madhya Pradesh. In 2003 it was given the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Who discovered it? Discovered by V.S. Wakankar. And the oldest paintings are seen in these Bhimbetka paintings. It is believed that these paintings are about 3000 years old. And then after this comes the Lakh Udiyar Cave Paintings. The literal meaning of the term Lakh Udiyar is 1 lakh caves. What is the literal meaning of Lakh Udia

33:25 ? 1 Lakh Caves. These Lakh Udar Cave Paintings are basically a group of historical paintings. There is a group of historical paintings which can be seen in the Almora district of Uttarakhand. These Lakh Udayar cave paintings are located on the banks of Suyal River. These Lakh Udayar cave paintings are located in the Almora district of Uttarakhand. And in these Lakh Udayar paintings mostly humans have been drawn. Animals have been drawn. Weapons have been drawn. Weapons used by early humans. These lakhon cave paintings are made with fingers. These have been created with fingers. Mostly red color has been

34:12 used. White color has been used and black color has been used. Recently in 2020, two more new paintings were discovered near Almora. And these two new paintings that were discovered look very similar to the Lakhdar Cave paintings. And with this our conversation for today ends. See the session is easy. You will have to make short notes. The rest will have to be revised. If you revise two or four times, you will remember these things very easily. If you have any doubt then ask by commenting. Thank you very much.