A Glimpse of contemporary Indian Art- "Mural Paintings"

New Delhi: Mural paintings have a prolonged tradition, significance and history in Indian Art. This piece of artwork is directly painted or applied on the surface of a wall or ceiling or other permanent facades. The seamless and harmonious incorporation of architectural elements are the unique characteristics of these paintings which make them eye catching and adorable.The history of Indian murals starts in ancient and early medieval times, from 2nd century BC to 8th – 10th century AD. There are known more than 20 locations around India containing murals from this period, mainly natural caves and rock-cut chambers. The highest achievements of this time are the caves of Ajanta, Bagh, Sittanavasal, Armamalai Cave (Tamil Nadu), Ravan Chhaya rock shelter, Kailasanatha temple in Ellora Caves. Nature and TechniquesMural Paintings are relatively different from all other forms of pictorial art techniques existing today. The two key characteristics that make them stand out of the lot is their organic relation to architecture and broad public significance. The mural artist must pictorially envisage a social, religious, or patriotic theme on the appropriate scale. It should be in conformance with structural requirement of the wall a well as with the core idea expressed.The use of color, design, and thematic treatment in mural paintings has the ability to bring about a drastic change in the sensation of spatial proportions of the building. Mural Paintings are the sole form of artwork that is truly three-dimensional, since it modifies and partakes of a given space.Types of Mural Paintings1. Fresco PaintingFresco is an ancient technique that involves painting of water-based pigments on freshly applied plaster, generally on wall façade. The colors to be used in paintings are prepared by grinding dry-powder pigments in pure water. The color procured is then leave for drying and is set with the plaster to become an integral part of the wall. This kind of painting is perfect for making murals for its durability, matte surface and its self adaptation into monumental style.2. Oil PaintingOil Painting is a medium of painting in oil colors which involves suspension of pigments into drying oils. This technique provides an excellent fusion of tones or color which provides it a distinguished uniqueness among other fluid painting mediums. Furthermore, oil medium facilitates the artists to easily obtain satisfactory linear treatment and crisp effects. Opaque, transparent, and translucent painting are among the wide variety of paintings prepared by using oil medium. Its textual variation makes it an unsurpassable medium and preferred choice for most artists.3. Tempera PaintingTempera painting is done by grounding pigment into a water-miscible medium. Evaluated from the word “temper”, these paintings are aimed at bringing desired consistency in the artwork while inculcating architectural elements. Tempering process is carried out with a binding and adhesive material to transform the dry pigments into usable substances.Such paintings are certainly different from fresco paintings which contain no binder in the colors used in preparing them. Gradually, after the augmentation of oil paintings, the word garnered its true meaning in the present scenario.4. Encaustic PaintingEncaustic painting technique involves mixing of pigments with hot, liquid wax, which are then applied evenly over the painting surface. It is followed by pressing of a heating element over them until the individual spatula or brush marks disappears to make up a thin & uniform layer. The wax used in Encaustic painting has many properties of oil paint, as it renders a very dazzling and attractive effect and also provides a great scope for elegant and expressive artwork.