The Mysore paintings originated in Mysore during the days of the Wodeyars. Mysore paintings form a significant tradition of the classical south Indian paintings.
The Mysore paintings are famous for their elegance, peculiar usage of colors and the stress on detailing.
It is almost similar to the paintings done in some other place known as Tanjore. Thin gold leaves are used in the Mysore paintings. It requires tremendous hard work, patience as well as extraordinary expertize and proficiency to make a piece of Mysore painting.
The Mysore paintings generally depict the images of Hindu gods and goddesses. The most notable and famous among the Mysore paintings is the depiction of the Lord Shrinath who is supposed to be the 'avatar' or the incarnation of Lord Vishnu or Shri Krishna. The painting is a colorful one with intricate designs where the Lord is seen against a black background.
Another very popular and frequently seen Mysore painting depicts Lord Ganesha on his Singhasan or throne.
Nowadays these paintings from Mysore form a much desired souvenir especially during the festivals in South India.
The following steps are carried out while making the Mysore paintings:
- the base is made with a cartridge paper pasted on a wooden background
- a preliminary sketch of the image is made on the base
- a paste of zinc oxide and Arabic gum is made
- the raised parts of the paintings are done first, like the jewelry or the throne
- the painting is allowed to dry
- thin gold foils are then pasted on the surface
- the rest is painted with water colors (only muted colors used)
