By IANS
Bundi (Rajasthan) : Patrick Bell, an Australian tourist, came here to enjoy the impressive architecture of grand havelis and palaces. But the beauty of miniature paintings fascinated him so much that he has started taking lessons in this centuries-old traditional art form.
So much so that he plans to stay in Bundi town, about 190 km from state capital Jaipur, for the rest of his tour in India.
“It’s so breathtakingly beautiful that you fall in love instantly. I am not going to leave this place without grasping every aspect of this art,” an excited Patrick said while taking lessons from a local miniaturist.
The miniaturists of Bundi have got a new lease of life these days in the form of foreign admirers like Patrick. Tourists from all over the world have emerged as survivors of this ancient art form.
“Tourists have breathed new life into the art. The number of tourists coming every year to Bundi has increased and the profits are satisfactory,” a miniaturist said.
“The paintings of Lord Krishna’s life, daily routine of kings and queens, war, hunting, festivals, possessions and wild life are most popular themes among tourists,” Prahlad Soni, another miniaturist, said.
“Sales have increased as tourists like to take these paintings to their country as souvenirs. We have not received much help from the government so far, but business is good because of the tourists,” Soni added.
Artists use paper, marbles and clothes to draw the paintings. These paintings are done with utmost care and in minute detail, with strong lines and bold colours set in harmonious patterns.
Bundi is one of the few places in India that can lay claim to an authentic school of painting, the Bundi School.
Historically, apart from portraits, hunting and royal court scenes have been the favourite theme of Bundi artists.
Earlier, natural colours with gold, silver and coloured stones were used in traditional miniature paintings. But now, poster colours have replaced them.
Apart from Bundi, other districts of Rajasthan like Kishangarh, Mewad and Kangda are also known for their respective art forms.
Rajasthan got a record 1.2 million foreign tourists in 2005-2006.