The Pahari Schools of Painting
Guler: Seu, Manaku and Nainsukh
See how one family changed a style.
In the Guler-Kangra (pre-Kangra) phase, Pandit Seu and his sons Manak (Manaku) and Nainsukh changed the style, around 1730-40. It became more refined, subdued and elegant than Basohli.
Guler had painters from the time of Dalip Singh. Govardhan Chand (1744-1773) was a great patron, and Prakash Chand kept the sons of Manaku and Nainsukh (Khushala, Fattu, Gaudhu) at his court.
Manaku's finest work is a Gita Govinda set (1730), which still uses beetle-wing casings. One painting shows a shy Radha approaching Krishna, inspired by Jayadeva's verse written on the back.
Nainsukh became court painter to Balwant Singh of Jasrota, and recorded his patron's life: at puja, at a building site, wrapped in a quilt in camp. His genius was individual portraiture, in pastel shades with bold touches of white or grey.
In 'Balwant Singh looking at a Painting', Nainsukh probably shows himself, bowing behind his patron, with soft music and a calm evening landscape.
Practise this lesson
Questions that get harder as you improve, a Tutor that helps without giving the answer away, and progress you can see. Free for every learner.
No account, no email address. Opens the real product.