Pahari Painting Gallery
On the first floor, one can find the display of Pahari miniature paintings, Epigraphic records and old photographs of Chamba. On the left side in Pahari miniature painting gallery one can find the display of the miniature paintings of different Pahari School such as Basholi, Chamba, Guler and Kangra etc. These miniature paintings could be distinguished from Mughal in their simplicity and freshness and from Rajasthan miniature in their lyrical quality. These schools were flourished in the Hill states of Western Himalayas during the 17th to 19th century A.D. The Basholi painting shows unusual brilliance of colour and animated expression. Spacious composition, rhythm and brilliance colour harmonies entitle them to a very high place among the pahari paintings. In Guler paintings draftsman ship is more linear and naturalistic. The female figures are slim and tall with long slender neck and small well-formed face. The treatment of trees and landscapes are naturalistic. The beauty of Kangra painting lies mainly in its rhythmic lines their tones are subdued and lines are exquisitely fine and melodious, especially in the flaming beauty of the female figures illustrating the delicate graces of Indian womanhood. The themes of these paintings are mostly related to the Epics, Puranas, Gita-Govinda, Biharisatsai, Baramasa and poetry. The Paintings of Usha-Anirudha, Rukmini-Mangal, SudamaCharit, Hamir-Hatha series are of the greater interest.
