Basohli school

The essentials

Basohli is a small town in Jammu on the bank of the Ravi. In the late 17th century it produced a striking style that became the first major Pahari idiom. Its paintings are powerful, intense and full of energy, quite unlike the later gentle Kangra works.

An important set is the Rasamanjari (text by Bhanudatta) painted by the artist Devidasa in 1694–95 for Raja Kirpal Pal. Other favourite themes were the Gita Govinda, Ramayana, and the devi (goddess) themes, as well as portraits of local rulers.

Key points

• Bold primary colours: bright red, yellow, blue and green, often used as flat backgrounds.
• Faces in profile with a receding forehead and very large, intense "lotus" eyes.
• Strong, vigorous line; figures appear stiff but expressive.
• Small pieces of the shiny green wing-cases of beetles were stuck on to imitate emeralds in jewellery.
• Thick white raised dots of paint were used to suggest pearls.
• Architecture is simple and flat; landscape is minimal and stylised.
• Red borders are common.

Exam tips

• The beetle-wing emerald effect is a favourite exam fact.
• Remember Devidasa – Rasamanjari – Kirpal Pal as one unit.

Common mistakes

• Confusing Basohli's intense large eyes with Kishangarh's elongated, slanting eyes.
• Calling Basohli colours soft or pastel; they are bold and vibrant.