The portrait of Adil Shahi of Bijapur, Golconda sultans and rare portrait of Young Aurangzeb portrayed at Ahmadnagar was reproduced five-day Deccani Painting workshop held in Jaipur.
In an attempt to spread awareness about the Deccani style of paintings, one of the oldest forms which started vanishing 400 years ago, a workshop was organised for the students. Around 16 students took part in the organised in the Department of Design at Banasthali Vidyapith for the students of undergraduate for learning the ancient designs and its innovations from Deccani paintings. For this unique workshop, experts from Gulbarga in Karnataka once which was the capital of the Bahmani Empire were invited as an expert to teach the technical process of making the miniature art of Deccan. The focus was given to the costumes, form, line and composition.
Researcher, Indo-Islamic Art of North Karnataka and artist Rehaman Patel who is an expert in creating miniature art form of Deccani paintings explained, though the Deccan sultans were took interest to spread this miniature art form during their rule can be found now all over the world in many reputed museums." It is a great opportunity for the students of design that the university took keen interest to introduce this rich art form by conducting a workshop. Such workshop helps to give birth to the vanishing art. And the university made it possible through this workshop to the art which was vanished 400-years-ago", Rehaman told DH.
Another senior artist Subbayya Neela who is an expert in creating miniature art form also guided for the students how to bring the shade and light. More workshops should be conducted to reintroduce such vanished art forms which played an important role in spreading the socio-cultural message through the paintings.
The word Deccani derived from Deccan or Dakshina called in south Indian regional language, is a geographical term that refers to the plateau in south-central India still ruled by Hindu kings when the first Muslim sultanates of India were established in Delhi. Deccan sultanates were established i.e., Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar, Bidar, and Berar, were known for their unique techniques of casting metal, carving stone, and painting. Each respective capital was developed with the addition of citadels and tombs and a distinctive style of architecture evolved as well.
Speaking about this art, Rehaman said that even before we talk about Deccani paintings first we should go through the early wall paintings which can be seen in the Sufi tomb of Sayyid Shah Qhabulullah Husayni of Gulbarga. The huge wall is decorated with geometrical forms and floral designs with natural pigments. Several small tombs located in the campus of Khwaja Bandanawaz.
“However, for several decades after Independence, Western art connoisseurs and dealers did manage to collect avidly in the Deccan. “Indian institutions and individuals never really went out and collected, which is why, while we have a few important things, the A plus-plus category of Deccan art is abroad.” Rehaman Patel added.