Khushi Sharma
Kangra painting is a pictorial art style that originated in the former princely state of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh, India. The style is known for its attention to detail, delicate brushwork, and curvilinear lines. Kangra paintings often depict subjects such as the love story of Usa and Aniruddha, Shri Krishna and Radha, and natural beauty.
The reason why Kangra paintings are famous is that the kangra painters made use of pure colors like yellow ,red and blue and these have retained the brilliance, even after two hundred years. The central theme of Kangra painting is live and its sentiments are expressed in a lyrical style full of rhythm, grace and beauty.
The rise of kangra paintings
The Kangra art style originated in Guler State, a small hill princely state in the Lower Himalayas in the first half of the 18th century when a family of Kashmiri painters trained in the Mughal painting style sought shelter at the court of Raja Dalip Singh (r. 1695–1741) of Guler. The rise of Guler paintings started in what is known as the Early phase of Kangra Kalam.
The new arrivals mingled with the local artists and were greatly influenced by the atmosphere of the hills. Instead of painting flattering portraits of their masters and love scenes, the artistes adopted themes of eternal love between Radha and Krishna. The paintings were naturalistic and employed cool, fresh colors.A painter from the Guler state. A group of artists, including Manku, Khushala, Kishan Lal, Basia, Purkhoo, and Fatoo, played important roles in the development and proliferation of this art form between the 18th and 19th centuries.
In 2022, during a visit to the United States, Indian prime minister Narendra Modi gifted Kangra miniature paintings to US President Joe Biden.