The tradition of Patna Kalam painting declined due to a combination of factors, including lack of patronage, the rise of photography, and competition from other art forms.
Patna Kalam painting is a style of miniature painting that originated in the city of Patna in the 17th century. The paintings are characterized by their use of bright colors, intricate designs, and gold leaf. They were originally commissioned by the Mughal court, but they later became popular among wealthy patrons throughout India.
In the 19th century, the tradition of Patna Kalam painting began to decline. This was due to a number of factors, including the rise of photography, which made it possible to create realistic images more easily and cheaply than ever before. Additionally, the British colonial government discouraged the production of traditional Indian art forms, as they saw them as a threat to their own culture.
As a result of these factors, the number of Patna Kalam painters declined sharply in the 20th century. Today, there are only a handful of remaining practitioners of this art form. However, there is a growing interest in Patna Kalam painting among both Indian and foreign art collectors. This has led to a renewed appreciation for this unique and beautiful art form.
Here is a brief explanation of each option:
- Lack of patronage: Patna Kalam paintings were originally commissioned by the Mughal court, but they later became popular among wealthy patrons throughout India. However, in the 19th century, the British colonial government discouraged the production of traditional Indian art forms, as they saw them as a threat to their own culture. This led to a decline in the number of patrons for Patna Kalam paintings.
- Rise of photography: In the 19th century, the rise of photography made it possible to create realistic images more easily and cheaply than ever before. This led to a decline in the demand for Patna Kalam paintings, as people could now purchase realistic images of their favorite subjects without having to commission a painting from a Patna Kalam artist.
- Competition from other art forms: In the 20th century, there was a growing interest in Western art forms, such as oil painting and sculpture. This led to a decline in the popularity of Patna Kalam painting, as people were more interested in Western art forms than in traditional Indian art forms.