Abstract

The origin of ancient Indian painting is believed to coincide with the origin of humankind, the most intelligent creature on Earth today. After this mortal being was born on Earth, he began creating art to express his emotions. Initially, humans created art in caves and on rocks. They painted pictures of various subjects in these caves. They began to create beautiful paintings using new colors, expressing their emotions. This art found in caves and on rocks is called prehistoric art. The prehistoric period is further divided into three parts based on human development: the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods. During this time, humans used ochre, yellow, green, and other colors for their paintings. Initially, they used crooked lines for their drawings, and later, they developed their art over time. After the prehistoric period, the art of the Indus Valley Civilization is also very distinctive. Under this art form, humans presented highly decorated examples of art on pottery and seals. They also depicted Yogi Shiva and the Mother Goddess within the Indus art. Following the Indus Valley Civilization, the tradition of mural painting or cave painting emerged, and painting work continued. Under mural painting, artists created beautiful paintings in caves such as Ajanta, Ellora, Bagh, Sittanavasal, and Badami. After mural paintings, the period of miniature painting began. Under miniature painting, painting work was done in the Mughal, Rajasthani, and Pahari styles. Distinctive and wonderful paintings were created under miniature painting as well. After miniature painting, the art of the modern era came into light, in which European and Indian subjects were depicted in the Patna or Company style. The invention of oil painting in India also took place during the Patna style. After the Patna style, various transformed paintings were created by Indian artists in the Bengal style and modern art style. Therefore, humanity has depicted painting, from the art of ancient times to the modern era, in a very unique and poignant way.