In news:

• Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (I/C) Shri Prahlad Singh Patel virtually launched “Life in Miniature” project, a collaboration between the National Museum, New Delhi, Ministry of Culture, and Google Arts & Culture.

 

About:

• In this initiative several hundred miniature paintings from the National Museum, New Delhi can be viewed online on Google Arts & Culture by people around the world in a new project titled “Life in Miniature.”
• The project uses technologies like machine learning, augmented reality and digitization with high- definition robotic cameras, to showcase these special works of art in a magical new way.
• On the Google Arts & Culture app, online viewers can experience the first Augmented Reality- powered art gallery designed with traditional Indian architecture, and explore a life-size virtual space where you can walk up to a selection of miniature paintings.
• Another highlight of the launch is the application of Machine Learning-based algorithms to the corpus of paintings being brought online, so that users can explore these miniature marvels guided by Artificial Intelligence.
• If a single miniature painting is a rare joy to behold, this experience – named “Magnify Miniatures” – which enables online users to explore multiple artworks simultaneously is a new experience.

 

Nation Museum"

• The National Museum in New Delhi, also known as the National Museum of India, is one of the largest museums in India established in 1949.
• In 1946, the idea of building a National Museum for India was proposed by the Gwyer Committee. Sir Maurice Gwyer, the former Chief Justice of India and Vice Chancellor of Delhi University, headed the Committee.
• It also houses the National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology on the first floor which was established in 1983 and now is a deemed to be University since 1989, and runs Masters and Doctoral level courses in History of Art, Conservation and Museology.

 

AIM

• Several hundred miniature paintings from the National Museum, New Delhi can be viewed online by people around the world through “Life in Miniature”project.
• The aim is to showcase Paintings that tell stories of nature, love, celebration, faith, and power.
• This will let people explore over 1,000 high resolution miniatures using Machine Learning and Augmented Reality
• Users will be able to see famous miniature collections of the National Museum in never before seen ways.
• This will be in extraordinary detail in just a few clicks – Check the links in Suggested section.

 

WHAT IS MINIATURE PAINTING

• Miniature paintings are among the most beautiful, technically-advanced and sophisticated art forms in Indian culture.
• Though compact (about the same size as a small book), they typically tackle profound themes such as love, power and faith.
• Virtually wander the halls of a special ‘pocket gallery’.
• Inspired by the domes and doorways that punctuate Indian homes and public spaces, this is the first AR-powered art gallery designed with traditional Indian architecture.
• Using technologies like machine learning, augmented reality and high-definition robotic cameras, the work will showcase these special art in a magical new way.

 

History of Miniature Paintings:

• Miniature paintings originated in India around 750 A.D when the Palas ruled over the eastern part of India.
• Since religious teachings of the Buddha, accompanied by his images, were written on palm leaves, these paintings became popular. 
• With the rise of the Mughal Empire, miniature paintings started growing on a level unknown before.

 

Schools of Paintings:

Pala School    

• The earliest Indian miniature paintings are related to the Pala School dating back to the 8th century A.D. 
• This school of painting emphasized on the symbolic use of colors and the themes were often taken from the Buddhist tantric rituals.

 

Orissa School

• The Orissa School of miniature painting came into existence during the 17th century A.D. 
• Most of the paintings depicted the love stories of Radha and Krishna and also stories from ‘Krishna Leela’ and ‘Gita Govinda’.

 

Jain School

• One of the earliest schools of miniature paintings in India, the Jain School of painting gained prominence in the 11th century A.D when religious texts like ‘Kalpa Sutra’ and ‘Kalkacharya Katha’ were portrayed in the form of miniature paintings.

 

Mughal School

• The amalgamation of Indian paintings and Persian miniature paintings gave rise to the Mughal School of miniature painting. 
• The Mughal style of painting flourished from 16th to 18th centuries, especially under the reign of Akbar. 

 

Rajasthani School      

• The decline of the Mughal miniature paintings resulted in the rise of the Rajasthani School. 
• Rajasthani School of painting can be further divided into various schools depending on the region they were created in - The Mewar School, Marwar School, Hadoti School, Dhundar School, Kangra and Kullu Schools of art are all part of Rajasthani School of painting. 

 

Pahari School

• Pahari School of miniature painting emerged in the 17th century A.D. 
• These paintings originated in the kingdoms of North India, in the Himalayan region. 

 

Deccan School 

• The Deccan School of miniature painting flourished in places like Ahmednagar, Golconda, Tanjore, Hyderabad and Bijapur from the 16th to 19th century A.D. 
• The Deccan School of miniature painting was largely influenced by the rich traditions of the Deccan and the religious beliefs of Turkey, Persia and Iran. 
• These paintings are different from that of their Mughal counterpart.