Miniatures India Folk Paintings are practiced in Jaipur and Bikaner regions of Rajasthan. Miniatures paintings are intricate, colorful handmade illuminations or paintings, small in size, executed meticulously with delicate brushwork. The colors used in the Asian art miniatures are derived from minerals, vegetables, precious stones, indigo, conch shells, pure gold and silver. Some of the noted miniature schools were those of Mughals, Rajputs and Deccan. These Asian art miniatures recreate historical episodes or tales of mythology in Schools that have come to be identified with the different kingdoms that merged in Rajasthan. Fine brush strokes signify miniatures from Jaipur and Udaipur, the Bundi and Kotah kalams are known for their scenes of battle and of shikar (hunts) while the Kishangarh School does portraits with Radha Krishna as the principal characters. Nathdwara, a place of pilgrimage close to Udaipur , furnishes paintings of Krishna in a characteristic style.
The colorful illuminations, which captured the fancy of the royalty and aristocracy, emerged in the medieval period. The illustrated manuscripts of Jains and Buddhists, and the flowering of the Mughal, Rajput, and Deccan Miniatures are noted for their meticulous execution and artistic skills. The fine stroke of brushes conveyed the themes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagvata Purana, Rasikpriya, Rasamanjiri, etc.These masterpieces of yore have a universal appeal which still touches the right chord of the audience. The irony of history never ceases to amaze. The mighty Himalayas nurtured in its western valleys, a School of Paintings known as the "Miniature". This intricate school of art was characterized by delicate brushwork and existed in the forms of 'illuminations' (Drawings included in a book, especially in medieval manuscripts) or normal paintings.
