Basohli and Kullu

Basohli developed a magnificent style under Kirpal Pal (1678-1695): strong primary colours, warm yellow backgrounds and horizons, stylised trees and plants, and raised white paint for pearls.

Its most striking feature is the use of tiny, shiny green pieces of beetle wings as emeralds in jewellery. Its colours recall the Chaurpanchashika group of paintings.

Its favourite text was Bhanu Datta's Rasamanjari, painted by Devida, a tarkhan (a carpenter-painter), in 1694-95. It also painted the Bhagavata Purana, Ragamalas and portraits.

Basohli artists spread to Chamba, Kullu and other states, creating local versions of the Basohli kalam (style).

The Shangri Ramayana is named after the Kullu royal branch at Shangri. One painting shows Rama giving away his possessions before his exile, with expressive faces, transparent cloth, and eager cows. Another shows Rama and Lakshmana following Vishvamitra through a forest, with half-hidden animals that may be demons.