Lecture - Gita Govinnd : The Poem and the Paintings August 12, 2009

2nd N.C. Mehta Memorial Lecture - Gita Govinnd : The Poem and the Paintings by the eminent art historial Smt. Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan. Nanalal Chamanlal Mehta's collection of Indian Miniature paintings is very unique in our country which includes high quality Jaina manuscript paintings, the famous paintinga based on the poetic verses of Chaurapanchasika, and a whole set of paintings illustrating Jayadeva's Gita Govinda. All these are painted in Gujarat during the early decades of the sixteenth century to justify calling them as representing the Gujarat School of paintings. Next group of paintings are from Mewar, Bundi, Kotah, Jaipur, Kishangarh and Jodhpur Schools of Rajasthan, most of them executed during the eighteenth century. They include Ragmala theme, verses from Keshavdas's Rasikapriya dealing with the feelings of Radha and Krishna as lovers, besides portrait likeness of Rajas of some of the above-mentioned states. The later group pf paintings have significance both in terms of history and patronage. Under the Rajasthani influence, evolved the Malwa School of painting during the seventeenth century, again illustrating Shringara themes. Subsequently in the eighteenth century in central India the Datia and the Orccha rulers engaged artists to paint their portraits, thus emerged a sophisticated courtly art during the second half of eighteenth century in that region. A large part of N.C. Mehta's collection comprises of very refined examples of several schools of Pahari painting from Himachal Pradesh. Gita Govinda theme, and depictions of Krishna from Bhagvata Purana, Nayikas in different moods, episodes from Ramayana and again royal portraits, were painted by the painters of Basohli, Guler, Kangra, Mandi and Kulu princely states. These paintings are datable from late seventeenth century to early nineteenth century. The careful observation of the entire collection on display is a great aesthetic experience as well as source for knowledge of many facets of Indian culture. Besides visitors can have a good idea of how fascinating it is to observe the growth and maturity of historical phases of Indian miniature painting from 15th century to 19th century.

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