Agni- Kangra Painting

Price inclusive of GST

This painting of the Vedic fire god Agni is made in the Kangra school of Pahari Painting now surviving in a small town in Himachal Pradesh. Agni rides a ram, symbolising his connection to the Earth and energy. He holds a rosary in one hand to show his significance in Hindu rituals. His three heads symbolise the three ancient fires; Earthly fires, lightning in the air and the Sun in the sky.

Made by one of the last remaining practitioners of this subset of painting, it is done on Basli paper- a handmade paper treated with copper that resists decay or infection. It is painted in stone ground and naturally extracted colours (White from lime, Vermillion from Camellia, Red from Cinnabar etc) and highlighted with 24kt gold. All are mixed with water and gum arabica.

“Miniature” painting has its roots in 11th century India, and was later influenced by various styles like Persian.  Miniature developed so, because it was meant to be held in hand and read like a book. The folios were never too large to hold. Within miniature, Pahari paintings have a softness and a dreamy quality that sets them apart. Ofcourse, the best method to guess the possible origin of a painting is to judge the clothes of the characters it portrays. The same story or myth will depicted in local flavour or in the likeness of the patron, by artists of different schools. 

There are numerous stories of artists or heads of workshops observing a potential buyer keenly to determine if they are worthy of the sale. Like in cuisine and music, patronage for miniature painting in India was a high art. Here is a guide to observing this one:

Notice the confidence in line work by the artist. In the delicate hair of the ram, the arch of Agni’s eyebrows, the floral details in the cover of his saddle. Details have been carefully considered- All three faces of the god are nearly copies of each other. The colours of the background are rendered vividly, with masterful gradients. Next notice the bhava- ie. The feeling of the painting. Agni comes across not as a destructive deity, but there is self-assured determination on his face. With the spear, he is protector, with the rosary, he aids the households of those who worship him.

This painting has been rendered in natural mineral colours and 24kt gold on Basli paper.

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