The Deccani Schools of Painting

Historians point out that the era of Deccani Paintings started in the late sixteenth century and flourished until the 1680s. It was the time when the Mughals took over the Deccan. The Deccani Schools of painting are miniature paintings that combine both indigenous and foreign forms of art. They prevailed in the peninsular region of the Indian subcontinent for a long time. This region lies between Narmada and Krishna rivers and thus this painting style acquired the name of the Deccani Style of Painting. 

The various Deccani Schools of Painting have been discussed in detail below-

Deccani Style of Painting

• Until very recently, the Deccani Style of Painting was categorised as a part of Indo-Persian art
• This style was believed to have originated from Middle Eastern, Safavid, Persian, Turkish, and even Mughal cultures
• The Deccani school of painting was not considered a full-fledged school for quite some time by art historians, even though they were aware of its uniqueness

Features of the Decanni style of Painting:

• Deccani colours are rich and bright, and gold and white are often used
• Additionally, the colours sharply vary from those that were utilised in northern art
• Moreover, the presentation of ethnic kinds, clothing, jewellery, flora, animals, terrain, and colours are distinguishing elements of Deccani paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries
• The style is a delicate, well-integrated fusion of indigenous and western art forms

Ahmednagar School of Painting:

The Ahmednagar School of Painting incorporated vibrant and rich colours.

• Hussain Nizam Shah I of Ahmednagar bestowed his support, encouragement, and privilege to the Deccani Style of Painting from 1553 to 1565
• Paintings of Ahmednagar are adorned by their women wearing a modified costume with choli (bodice)
• Paintings of the Deccan have Persian influence, i.e., landscape, gold, sky
• The females portrayed in the Ahmednagar School of Painting belong to the northern tradition of Malwa
• One of the most well-known artworks belonging to the Ahmednagar School of Painting in the illustrated manuscript is Tarif-i-Hussain Shahi

Bijapur School of Painting:

The Bijapur School of Painting was rich in colour scheme and extensively used the golden colour.

• Ali Adil Shah I (1558–1580) and his successor Ibrahim II were the emperors who heavily patronised the Bijapur School of Painting
• Nujum al-Ulum, the highly illustrated encyclopaedia of the late sixteenth century, is a part of the paintings from Bijapur dated 1570. This beautifully illustrated encyclopaedia consists of 876 miniatures that have illustrations of weapons, utensils and constellations
• Some artworks of the Bijapur School of Painting seem to have been influenced by murals of the Lepakshi temple
• South Indian dresses have a dominant place in the artwork. The colours of the paintings have the theme of Yogini, one who believes in yoga and leads a spiritual life

Golconda School of Painting

In 1512, Golconda became an independent state and the wealthiest state of the Deccan kingdoms as early as the sixteenth century. The patrons of the Golconda school of painting were the Qutb Shahi rulers, and in fact, the most critical artwork was accomplished during the reign of Muhammad Quli Qutab Shah (1580-1611).

• The Golconda school of painting became popular as Dutch merchants carried the portraits of sultans in the late seventeenth century to Europe. The painting portrayed the bazaar and had references to the royal paintings
• Earlier Golconda paintings dated 1635–1650, some of which were about 8 feet high, were used as wall hangings
• These paintings are covered with pictorial designs, figures, among other things, in architectural settings of varied origins
• Notable works that belong to the Golconda School of painting include “Lady with the Myna bird” and “Lady smoking hookah”

Conclusion

The Deccani Style of Painting dates back to the late 16th century until the 1680s. This was also the time when the Mughals annexed Deccan. It is significant to note that the Deccani Style of Painting was not regarded as a full-fledged school even when it was unique and was gradually placed under the Indo-Persian art for the longest time. The kingdoms of Bijapur, Golconda and Ahmadnagar were areas where this school of art developed and flourished.