Kangra miniature paintings

Current Context : Two Guler miniature paintings, exemplifying the Kangra style, achieved a record ₹31 crore at a Mumbai auction.

• Nainsukh’s Masterpiece (circa 1750): Sold for ₹15 crore, this painting depicts Raja Balwant Dev hosting a musical soiré
• Anonymous Descendant’s Work (circa 1775): Fetched ₹16 crore, illustrating a verse by 12th-century Sanskrit poet Jayadeva, showing Lord Krishna dancing with gopis in a lush Vrindavan grove.

About Kangra Miniature Paintings

• Flourished in the mid-18th century under Rajput patronage in Himachal Pradesh.
• Originated in Guler; gained prominence in Kangra under Maharaja Sansar Chand’s rule.

Key themes: Radha-Krishna love stories, Hindu mythology, nature, and seasonal landscapes.