These Paintings are locally believed to have been executed by artists from
Delhi or by the Bujheru family of Brahmin artists who are supposed to have painted the
walls of the Narmadesvara. The paintings in the Gaurishankara temple represent Raja Sansar
Chand's tastes in a very direct and uninhibited manner. Like his way of life at this time,
the paintings are dedicated to the pursuit of love in a frank and open manner without any
sheltering behind the curtain of any religious symbols. Here lovers are shown seated on
balconies admiring the beautiful scenery or taking a stroll through the gardens where
entwined creepers and pairs of birds seem to echo their love. Like all conventional Indian
lovers they are rapturously happy in listening to music which is shown in one of the
panels. It is perha ps as an apology or an afterthought of their sheer abandon to passion
that a few other themes were introduced. Near the ceiling are floral designs, interspersed
among them are very small panels showing Siva and Parvati in the forest with Ganesa, a
lady playing or her vina the Devi and a few beautiful ranis.
The drawing of the Gaurishankara paintings is
very similar to that of the Narmadesvara; the style is typical of the Kangra School
patronized by Sansar Chand. Most of the colors of these paintings have faded perhaps due
to the use of strong incense in the temple. Whatever remains is proof of excellent
quality. The artists not only broke convention by painting secular themes here but also in
drawing and painting them in a very naturalistic fashion. For the first time, in pahadi
wall paintings are found mountains and hills painted as they are observed in nature. |
