1. Uniting Culturally Diverse India through Arts During Mughal
Period
India is known as land of cultural diversities. But sometimes question comes are
we really united by these diversities or they are pulling us apart? If they are really
creating boundaries then how can this be eliminated, and used as strength to
bind us? Answer to all these questions is art. Art has the power to erase all
biases and boundaries.
Indian history has a huge account of development of art in Mughal period. This
period can’t be neglected as it is indispensable. India went to heights in
development of cultural activities like art, architecture, music, and literature.
Mughal rulers like Humayun, Shah Jahan, Akbar, and Jahangir were great lovers
of art. They employed many Muslims and Hindu artist from various places. The
empires rewarded the artist based on their creativity; not on the bases of what
religion, they belong to. Mughal ruler Humayun brought two Persian painters Mir
Sayyid Ali and Abdul Samad to India. These two painters became famous during
the rule of Akbar and registered their names in the glorious history of Mughal art.
Baswan , Miskina and Daswant were known as greatest achievers in Akbar’s
court as artist. Main themes of Mughal miniature painting were Akbarnama and
Hamzanama
Indian miniature paintings were illustrated in Persian version displaying the two
well-known epics Mahabharata and Ramayana. Rock paintings were the earliest
piece of paintings and Ajanta caves are the surviving illustration. It is believed
that Indian paintings were derived from sadanga (six limbs of Indian paintings).
These six limbs are rupabheda (appearance), pramanam (measure, structure,
perception, and correction), bhava (mainly action of feelings on form), lavanya
yojanam (artistic representation and infusion of grace), sadrisyam (similitude),
and varnikabhanga (Tagore stated it as the artistic manner of using the brush).
Indian paintings have two major classifications, which are miniature and murals.
Ajanta cave is a marvelous piece of mural paintings as paintings are done on
large solid structures. The two epics Mahabharata and Ramayana are illustration
of miniature painting that is generally done on perishable material like cloth and
paper. Palas of Bengal were pioneer of paintings in India.
Indian miniature paintings include many styles but Madhubani paintings are the
most striking of them all. These paintings belong to the Maithili region in Bihar. It
depicts the scenes from the royal courts, mythologies, Hindu Gods and events
displaying social gathering (wedding). The amazing thing about these paintings is
that the artist use biotic methods to prepare pure natural colors by using leaves,
herbs and flowers. Floral images, leaves, and geometrical designs fill the empty
space. These paintings are even done on curtains and dresses. Madhubani
painting patterns are also adopted in making antique ornaments, which are
crafted keeping the antique miniature painting designs in mind.

2. Art in any form, not just painting, helps us to unite forget our differences and get
lured in the aura that only has one language that is love, peace and harmony.