Turban set on stamp paper
Turban, an integral part of Indian culture, is symbol of status, class and region. In the desert it developed for protecting head from heat. It also acts as a pillow, water purifier, rope or bed while travelling. Later it became a fashion statement. The painting portrays different colour turban set. White green striped is for monsoon season. White orange is for Holi, festival of colours. Orange is for Dasherra festival. Pearl blue is for month of June when heat is at peak.
The painting is made on old, used, court’s stamp paper. These were used in princely states in present day Rajasthan. The papers used are mostly from Jaipur, Ajmer or Kota kingdom’s court. The state’s language used at that period of time was Urdu. This can also be found written on paper. The paper is darkened using tea water to enhance the grace. The painting done on this paper is new but the paper is old.
Miniature paintings are paintings painted on paper, silk, cotton, marble, wood, canvas, leather, glass and metals. Its uniqueness is one hair brush, which is used for filling the fine details in the painting.
About the Painting School
Kishangarh Miniature painting school
Every painting is associated with a school. Kishangarh Miniature paintings have Radha Krishna, elephants, camels and other animals as subject in paintings. It is most famous for Bani Thani, the Indian Mona Lisa. They have thick outlines.
About the Master Craftsman
This painting is painted by Artist Gopal Lal Sharma. He hails from Jaipur, the Pink City. He has been awarded by Government of Rajasthan for his contribution to traditional miniature painting. In Jaipur, he practices this art with his wife and other students.
- Artist Name: Karkhana