The Deccani Schools of PaintingClass 12 Fine Arts NCERT Solutions
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Q1Exercise
What are the unique features of Deccani painting of Yogini? Find out about artists doing similar works nowadays.
Solution
Based on the provided text, the Deccani painting of a Yogini, attributed to the Bijapur school, has several unique features:
- Composition: The artist prefers a vertical composition. The long, standing figure of the Yogini is the central focus, visually balanced by a group of tapering white structures at the top of the painting.
- Subject and Mood: The painting depicts a Yogini, a spiritual figure who has renounced worldly attachments. She is shown preoccupied with a myna bird, seemingly in conversation, which adds a narrative and serene quality to the work.
- Figure Detailing: Despite her renunciation, the Yogini is adorned with jewellery. Her hair is styled in a bun that elongates her visual presence. Long scarves are depicted swirling in a rhythmic circle around her body.
- Background and Landscape: The figure is set against an exquisite landscape with rich and detailed flora surrounding her.
(Note: The information regarding contemporary artists doing similar work is not available in the provided source text.)
Q2Exercise
What were the popular themes painted in the Deccani School? Describe some of them.
Solution
The Deccani School of painting explored a variety of themes, reflecting the cultural and political vision of its patrons. Popular themes included:
- Portraiture and Royal Scenes: A significant theme was the creation of portraits of rulers and historical figures. Paintings often depicted kings seated on thrones, such as in Tarif-i-Hussain Shahi from Ahmadnagar or the portrait of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah. These scenes symbolized political sovereignty and divinity.
- Ragamala Paintings: These series of paintings, illustrating the modes of Indian classical music, were a prominent theme. The text describes them as some of the most striking examples of the sixteenth-century Deccan schools. An example mentioned is Ragini Pathamsika of Raga Hindola.
- Spiritual and Religious Subjects: Paintings of spiritual figures like the Yogini from Bijapur, who represents a life of discipline and renunciation, were created. Another example is the painting of the Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusrau from Hyderabad.
- Encyclopaedic and Astronomical Illustrations: The Bijapur school produced the Nujum al-Ulum (Sciences of the Stars), an encyclopaedia containing hundreds of miniatures illustrating weapons, utensils, and constellations, showing influences from Ottoman Turkish manuscripts.
- Narrative and Courtly Life: Scenes of royal entertainment with dancing girls, or rulers engaged in royal sports like hawking (Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II hawking) and polo (Chand Bibi playing Polo), were also popular subjects.
Q3Exercise
Write a note in 100 words on two paintings you like from the Deccani School.
Solution
1. Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II hawking
This painting from Bijapur is remarkable for its extraordinary energy and vibrant colours. The brilliant red used for the horse and the Sultan's flowing garment creates a powerful visual impact. The background is a dense, lush landscape with deep greens and blues, populated by cranes under a golden-blue sky. The galloping horse activates the entire scene, directing the viewer's focus to the white hawk and the Sultan's delicately rendered face. The work beautifully blends Persian influence in the depiction of the horse with native inspiration in the treatment of the landscape.
2. Ragini Pathamsika of Raga Hindola
This intriguing Ragamala painting, likely from Bijapur, showcases a rich synthesis of influences. It features three beautifully dressed women in a pavilion with domes decorated with Persian-style arabesques. The central figure plays a veena, while the others accompany her. The use of vibrant and dominant colours like red and green, along with strong dark outlines for the figures, is a notable feature. This technique of using dark lines is interestingly reminiscent of the ancient Ajanta murals. A small elephant in the corner adds a delightful visual element, breaking the architectural symmetry of the composition.
Q4Exercise
How is the Deccani style of painting different from the Mughal style of painting?
Solution
The Deccani style of painting is distinct from the Mughal style in several key aspects, as highlighted in the text:
- Colour Palette: Deccani paintings are characterized by their use of rich, brilliant, and intense colours that have a strong connection to regional aesthetics. The palette is described as being different from the paintings of northern Mughal ateliers. For instance, Golconda paintings make lavish use of gold and purple, even creating unconventional effects like blue foxes.
- Composition and Mood: The Deccani school often preferred dense compositions and sought to create an "aura of romance." The style is described as eloquently natural and vivid, with a unique sensuality. In contrast, Mughal painting, particularly in portraiture, is noted for its highly documentary and realistic nature.
- Influences: While both schools show Persian influence, particularly in landscapes, the Deccani style incorporates strong southern Indian elements. This is seen in costumes like the long scarf worn below the hips and hairstyles similar to those in the Lepakshi frescoes. Early Deccani paintings, especially from Golconda, show little to no Mughal influence, indicating an independent development.
- Stylistic Elements: Deccani paintings feature specific motifs like richly coloured trees with tinted edges and plants silhouetted against dark foliage. Early Golconda works use symmetrical, unfunctional architecture and elaborately patterned carpets, creating a distinct visual language.
Q5Exercise
What are the imperial symbols in a Deccani royal painting?
Solution
Deccani royal paintings employ several imperial symbols to signify the power, sovereignty, and divine status of the ruler. Based on the text, these symbols include:
- The Throne: The ruler is frequently depicted enthroned, which is a direct symbol of his royal authority. The painting Tarif-i-Hussain Shahi shows the king on his throne, and the portrait of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah also depicts him enthroned. The Throne of Prosperity is a symbolic diagram of an auspicious throne, further emphasizing its importance.
- The Sword: Holding a sword is a clear symbol of political sovereignty and military power. The text notes that Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah holds a sword in his portrait. In another Golconda painting, a young ruler holds a "typically long and straight Deccani sword."
- The Halo: A halo around the ruler's head is used to depict his divinity and semi-divine status as a monarch. This is explicitly mentioned in the description of the portrait of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah.
- Depiction in Royal Pursuits: Showcasing the ruler engaged in elite activities like falconry (Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II hawking) or polo (Chand Bibi playing Polo) served to reinforce their noble and powerful status.
Q6Exercise
Which were the centres of painting in Deccan? Show them on a map.
Solution
The text identifies several important centres where the Deccani school of painting was nurtured and expanded. These centres are located in the plateau region of southern India, beyond the Vindhya mountain range.
The primary centres of Deccani painting during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries were the Sultanates of:
- Ahmadnagar
- Bijapur
- Golconda
Later, the tradition continued under the Asafiya dynasty in:
- Hyderabad
Additionally, the text mentions that the style was also seen in the provincial courts of Rajas and Nawabs within the State of Hyderabad.
(Note: As a text-based AI, I cannot generate a map. However, these historical kingdoms were located in the present-day states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh in India.)