Garden Reverie – A Kangra Miniature

Provenance

Kangra Miniature painting developed in the 18th century within the ateliers of the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh, flourishing under the enlightened patronage of Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch. Evolving from the earlier Basohli and Guler schools of the Pahari region, the Kangra style achieved distinction for its lyrical grace, emotional subtlety, and harmonious integration of landscape and figure.

The discipline follows a meticulous multi-stage process, beginning with the preparation of handmade paper coated with a mineral base of zinc oxide, chalk soil, acacia gum, and copper sulphate for durability. Natural and organic pigments extracted from stones and vegetables are carefully prepared and layered through fine outlining and gradual colour filling. The surface is burnished on the reverse using a conch shell to achieve smoothness and luminosity. Delicate brushes — traditionally handcrafted from squirrel hair — enable the rendering of expressive eyes, refined facial features, intricate flora, and subtle gestures. Pure gold embellishment is applied to enhance ornamental details and enrich the composition.

The serene landscapes of Kangra Valley, with shaded foliage, open meadows, and distant architectural forms, serve as emotional extensions of the central figure, often portraying the classical nayika in moments of devotion, longing, or musical contemplation. Recognized for its cultural and artistic significance, Kangra Painting was accorded Geographical Indication (GI) status in 2014 as the 214th GI-tagged product of India. This painting has been handcrafted by Ms Poonam of Kangra Valley, continuing a lineage rooted in the refined legacy of Pahari miniature artistry.

Disclaimer: 

• The frames shown are for display purposes only and are not included with the artwork.
• As these are made-to-order designer pieces, expect minor colour variations from the displayed artwork.