Overview for Miniature Paintings on The Holy Ramayana
Eversince the composing of the Ramayana by the Sage Valmiki, the popularity of the story of Rama went on increasing gradually and soon it became a legend with the masses, who started patronising the theme in various ways, including its recitation, the listening, writing and several other means. The most important means of the popularity of the theme was the patronising of the same in the performing art, in which the story of the Ramayana or an event connected therewith was displayed by the means of dramas or plays. The artists in India did not lag behind in expressing faith in the Ramayana theme and beautiful sculptures, bronzes, terracottas and other paintings of art were created. The frescoes and miniature paintings have their own importance in Indian art and several such specimens were created by the artists. Though much of the valuable miniatures have been lost due to various reasons, but still some of best miniature paintings are still available. The book Miniature Paintings on the Holy Ramayana by Shantilal Nagar contains a collection of 127 rare paintings of miniatures in colour obtained from National Museum as well as other sources. The arrangement of the miniatures has been based, by and large, according to the chronology of the Valmiki Ramayana.
Shantilal Nagar (Author)
Shantilal Nagar, a graduate of the Punjab University, served in the curatorial capacity in the Central Asian Antiquities Museum, New Delhi, the Archaeological Museum, Nalanda, and Archaeological Section of the Indian Museum, Calcutta for a number of years. He has to his credit the scientific documentation of over fifty thousand antiquities, in these museums, representing the rich cultural heritage of the country and comprising of sculptures, bronzes, terracottas, beads, seals and sealing, ancient Indian numismatics, wood work, miniatures and paintings, textiles and Pearce collection of gems, ranging from the earliest times to the late medieval period. He was awarded, in 1987, a fellowship, for his monograph on the Temples of Himachal Pradesh, by the Indian Council of Historical Research, New Delhi. He has authored more than fifty books.