Radha in the Forest – 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 royal patronage of Maharaja Sansar Chand Katoch. Evolving from the earlier Pahari schools of Basohli and Guler, the Kangra style attained refinement through its lyrical naturalism, devotional themes, and delicate portrayal of feminine grace inspired by Vaishnav poetry.

The tradition follows a disciplined seven-stage process beginning with the preparation of handmade paper coated with a mineral base of zinc oxide, chalk soil, acacia gum, and copper sulphate to enhance durability and longevity. Natural and organic pigments extracted from stones and vegetables are meticulously prepared and layered through fine outlining and gradual colour filling. The reverse of the paper is burnished with a conch shell to create a smooth, luminous surface that supports precise brushwork. Fine brushes — traditionally handcrafted from squirrel hair — allow artists to render expressive eyes, graceful features, and intricate flora and fauna. Pure gold embellishment is applied selectively to enhance ornamental and symbolic elements within the composition.

The serene landscapes of Kangra Valley — flowering trees, open meadows, pastoral animals, and distant horizons — act as emotional extensions of the central figure. In Radha-themed compositions, nature amplifies devotion and gentle longing, embodying bhakti and shringara rasa within the Pahari aesthetic tradition. Recognized for its cultural importance, 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.