The Basohli school of miniature painting, flourishing from the late 17th century, is celebrated for its intensity of colour and emotional expressiveness. Unlike the refined restraint of Mughal miniatures, Basohli artists used saturated beetle-wing casings for a metallic sheen, bold primary colours, and geometric facial features that conveyed raw spiritual emotion. Under the patronage of Raja Kripal Pal, the Gita Govinda and Rasamanjari series became masterpieces of Indian art. This article explores the techniques, themes, and legacy of this extraordinary artistic tradition.
