Paintings — Set 2

Correct Answer: D. Pahari School

• **Pahari School** = is the larger regional school of which the 'Kangra' style of painting is a prominent branch. • **18th century** — the Kangra style flourished during this century under the patronage of Raja Sansar Chand, known for its delicacy, cool colors, and themes of Radha and Krishna. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Rajput School: a broader category that includes various regional schools, Pahari being one; Mughal School: characterized by imperial patronage and blending Persian and Indian styles; Deccani School: art from the Deccan sultanates, with unique characteristics and influences.

Correct Answer: C. Nandlal Bose

• **Nandlal Bose** = is the famous artist who painted the mural 'Village Life' on the walls of Shantiniketan. • **Indian Constitution** — he was a key figure of the Bengal School who decorated the original manuscript of this document and created many murals at Shantiniketan depicting everyday rural life. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Ramkinkar Baij: a pioneering modern Indian sculptor and painter, also associated with Shantiniketan; S.H. Raza: a prominent modern Indian artist, part of the Progressive Artists' Group, known for abstract works; Binod Behari Mukherjee: another important figure of the Bengal School and Shantiniketan, known for his murals and unique artistic vision.

Correct Answer: A. Rajasthan

• **Rajasthan** = is the Indian state where 'Phad' paintings, traditional religious scroll paintings, are found. • **Pabuji and Devnarayan** — these long scrolls traditionally depict the stories of local folk deities like these two, used by mobile priests as portable temples for storytelling. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Gujarat: known for Rogan art and Patola weaving; Haryana: has folk arts like Sanjhi (paper cutting); Madhya Pradesh: famous for Gond art and Bhil paintings.

Correct Answer: A. Opaque Watercolors

• **Opaque Watercolors** = is the medium involved in the painting technique known as 'Gouache'. • **Natural pigment** — Gouache consists of this and a binding agent, providing a heavier, flatter color finish compared to transparent watercolor, and was used in many Indian miniature paintings. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Transparent Watercolors: allow the paper to show through, creating luminous effects; Oil Paints: use oil as a binder, known for rich color and slow drying time; Acrylics: synthetic paints known for fast drying and versatility.

Correct Answer: C. Tanjore Painting

• **Tanjore Painting** = is the painting style from Tamil Nadu known for its distinct use of gold foil and semi-precious stones. • **Gold foils** — this classical South Indian art form is characterized by rich colors, surface embellishments, and the use of thin gold foils, glass pieces, and semi-precious stones, primarily depicting Hindu gods and goddesses. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Mysore Painting: a classical South Indian style from Karnataka, similar to Tanjore but with less emphasis on gold relief; Pithora Painting: a ritualistic tribal art from Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh; Cheriyal Painting: a scroll painting tradition from Telangana, known for narrative storytelling.

Correct Answer: C. Ajanta

• **Ajanta** = The Bagh cave paintings are similar in style to the more famous Ajanta murals. • **5th-6th centuries** — This is the period when the Bagh cave paintings date back to. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Elephanta: Known for Hindu cave temples, distinct style; Kanheri: Buddhist caves, but paintings are not stylistically similar to Bagh in the same way Ajanta is; Ellora: Features Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain rock-cut temples, distinct from Bagh style.

Correct Answer: A. Amrita Sher-Gil

• **Amrita Sher-Gil** = She was a pioneer of modern Indian art, known for fusing Western and Indian styles. • **'Indian Frida Kahlo'** — This is the common moniker for Amrita Sher-Gil due to her life and artistic themes. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Nalini Malani: A contemporary artist known for her installations and video art; Anjolie Ela Menon: A contemporary Indian artist known for her oil paintings; Arpita Singh: A contemporary artist whose work often features women and domestic themes.

Correct Answer: B. Telangana

• **Telangana** = Cheriyal scroll painting is a stylized version of Nakashi art, unique to the Cheriyal village in Telangana. • **Nakashi art** — Cheriyal paintings are a specific, localized style of the broader Nakashi art tradition. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Karnataka: Known for Mysore paintings, not Cheriyal; Tamil Nadu: Known for Tanjore paintings, not Cheriyal; Kerala: Known for mural paintings and Kathakali art forms, not Cheriyal.

Correct Answer: C. Deccani School

• **Deccani School** = The Deccani School of painting is noted for its brilliant colors, including deep blues derived from Lapis Lazuli. • **Lapis Lazuli** — This semi-precious stone was used to create the distinct deep blue colors in Deccani miniatures. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Basholi School: Known for bold primary colors, but not specifically for Lapis Lazuli blue; Mughal School: Known for its refined naturalism and intricate details, but Lapis Lazuli use wasn't a defining characteristic for its blue; Maru-Gurjara School: An earlier western Indian style, predates widespread Lapis Lazuli use in miniature painting.

Correct Answer: B. Pithora

• **Pithora** = Pithora paintings are ritualistic wall paintings created by the Rathwa and Bhil tribes in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. • **'Pithora'** — These paintings are specifically made as an offering to invoke the deity Pithora for prosperity and peace. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Gond: A tribal art form from Madhya Pradesh, but not specifically for Pithora deity; Hazaribagh: Refers to Sohrai and Khovar art from Jharkhand, not Pithora; Saura: A tribal art form from Odisha, distinct from Pithora paintings.