Mysore painting is an important form of classic South Indian painting that originated in Mysore, Karnataka. With a history of over 700 years, Mysore paintings are known for their elegance, colors, and detailed paintings. The themes are often Hindu gods and scenes from Hindu mythology. Mysore painting evolved from paintings during the Vijayanagara Empire, as artists migrated to Mysore after the empire's fall in 1565. They absorbed local artistic traditions to develop the distinct Mysore style of painting, characterized by delicate lines, intricate brushwork, bright colors, and use of gold leaf.

1. MYSORE PAINTING
Assignment

2. Arts in Karnataka
◦ Karnataka is a state in the south-western region of India, one
of the state rich in terms of culture, language traditions, art,
craft, and architecture. It has been home to some of the
most powerful empires of ancient and medieval India. Being
one of the major tourism hubs in India, The state has
contributed to the country in the field of arts, crafts, and
architecture.

3. Mysore Painting
◦ Mysore paintings are the most important form of
classic south Indian painting which originated in the
historical capital city of Karnataka-Mysore. Having a
history of more than 700 years, this craft is known
for its elegance, colours, and the number of details
in the paintings. This style of painting is encouraged
and nurtured by Mysore Rulers. The themes for
most of these paintings are Hindu gods and
goddesses and scenes from Hindu mythology.

4. ◦ Painting in Karnataka has a long and illustrious history, tracing its
origins back to the Ajanta Caves period (2nd century BC to 6th
century AD). The distinct school of Mysore painting evolved from
the paintings during the Vijayanagara Empire period, the rulers of
Vijayanagara and their feudatories encouraged literature, art and
architecture as well as religious and philosophical discussions.
With the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire after the 1565, the artists
who were until then under royal patronage migrated to various
places such as Mysore, Tanjore and Surpur among others.
Absorbing the local artistic traditions and customs, the erstwhile
Vijayanagara school of painting gradually evolved into the many
styles of painting in South India, including the Mysore and Tanjore
schools of painting.

5. Tools used
◦ The ancient painters in Mysore prepared their own materials. The colours were
from natural sources and were of vegetable or mineral substances such as
leaves, stones and flowers. Brushes were made with squirrel hairs for delicate
work, but for drawing superfine lines, a brush made of pointed blades of a
special variety of grass had to be used. Due to the long-lasting quality of the
stone- and plant-based colours used, the original Mysore paintings retain their
freshness and lustre even today.

6. Characteristics
Mysore Paintings are characterized by delicate lines, intricate brush
strokes, graceful delineation of figures and the discreet use of bright
vegetable colours and lustrous gold leaf. More than mere decorative
pieces, the paintings are designed to inspire feelings of devotion and
humility in the viewer. The painter’s individual skill in giving expression to
various emotions is therefore of paramount
Importance to this style of painting.

7. Thank you