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title: "The Pahari Schools of Painting"
board: "CBSE"
curriculum: "CBSE"
class: "Class 12"
subject: "Fine Art"
book: "An Introduction to Indian Art Part - II"
chapter: "The Pahari Schools of Painting"
chapter_slug: "the-pahari-schools-of-painting"
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# The Pahari Schools of Painting
Pahari denotes ‘hilly or mountainous’ in origin. The Pahari Schools of Painting encompasses towns such as Basohli, Guler, Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, and others in the western Himalayas, and emerged as centres of painting from the seventeenth to nineteenth century.

## Knowledge Snapshot
| Field | Details |
| :--- | :--- |
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Fine Art |
| Book | An Introduction to Indian Art Part - II |
| Chapter | The Pahari Schools of Painting |
| Pages | 67-84 |

## Chapter Summary
### Short Summary
The Pahari Schools of Painting evolved significantly from the flamboyant Basohli style to the sophisticated Kangra School, influenced by various artist families and interactions with Mughal and Rajasthani styles.

### Detailed Summary
The Pahari Schools of Painting began at Basohli with a coarsely flamboyant style and developed into the Kangra School through a pre-Kangra phase. Various towns like Guler and Kangra emerged during this evolution. The classification of Pahari paintings poses challenges as they lack as distinctive styles like the Mughal or Rajasthani schools, and their territorial classification is complex due to individualistic characteristics. B. N. Goswamy attributed the development of this art form to the family of Pandit Seu, emphasizing that focusing on political boundaries can be misleading. The style underwent a significant transformation in the middle of the eighteenth century, leading to experimentation and the emergence of various distinctive idioms influenced by Mughal interactions.

## Topic-Wise Explanation
### Introduction to Pahari Schools of Painting
The Pahari Schools emerged from the seventeenth century, rooted in various towns in the western Himalayas.

### Basohli School
The Basohli School is characterized by its bold and flamboyant style, marking the inception of the Pahari painting tradition.

### Guler School
The Guler School served as a transitional phase, leading towards the refinement seen in the Kangra School.

### Kangra School
Kangra School is known for its sophistication and lyrical aesthetics, representing the peak of Pahari painting.

### Influences and Characteristics
Pahari painting reflects influences from Mughal and Rajasthani art, yet maintains individualistic styles based on the region.

### Themes in Pahari Painting
Themes involved in Pahari painting include daily routines and significant moments from royal lives, featuring idealized representations of figures.

### Legacy and Decline
The legacy of Pahari painting saw gradual transformation and decline, impacted by changing artistic influences and styles.

## Core Ideas
| Idea | Explanation |
| :--- | :--- |
| Evolution of Styles | Transition from Basohli to Kangra reflects the changing artistic sensibilities of the region.

## Key Concepts
| Concept | Meaning |
| :--- | :--- |
| Pahari | Relating to the hilly regions where these schools developed.

## Important Points for Revision
* The Pahari Schools developed in the western Himalayas.
* The Basohli School is known for its flamboyant style.
* The transition to the Kangra School marked a refinement in the art.
* Political boundaries do not distinctly define the Pahari styles.
* B. N. Goswamy emphasizes family influences on artistic development.
* The interaction with Mughal styles influenced local Pahari art.
* Key themes involve royal narratives and idealized figures.
* A lack of dated materials complicates the classification of these schools.

## Practice Questions
### Short Answer Questions
1. What does 'Pahari' denote?
2. Which towns are considered part of the Pahari Schools of Painting?
3. Describe the main characteristics of the Basohli School.
4. How did the Guler School contribute to the evolution of Pahari painting?
5. What theme is commonly depicted in Kangra paintings?

### Long Answer Questions
1. Discuss the transformation from the Basohli School to the Kangra School of painting.
2. Explain B. N. Goswamy's argument on the role of artist families in the development of Pahari painting.
3. Analyze the influence of Mughal and Rajasthani styles on Pahari Schools of Painting.

## Source Attribution
| Field | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| Source | Edzy |
| Reference Type | examSubjectBookChapter |
| Reference ID | 66defe2e3f8b4e9e69bdfc19 |
| Canonical URL | https://www.edzy.ai/cbse-class-12-fine-art-an-introduction-to-indian-art-part-ii-the-pahari-schools-of-painting |
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