Painting as an art form has flourished in India from the pre-historic age as is evident from literary sources and remnants. Indian art form is a combination of social, political and religious influences. It is one of the oldest and flexible cultures on earth which has a unique identity of its own.
The oldest examples of Indian painting can be found in the caves of the Neolithic man. The discoveries made by the archeologist give the proof of existence of this art from 3000 BC itself. Classic examples are the cave paintings in Ajanta and Ellora using earth and vegetable dyes, the wall paintings in the temples of Tanjore (1st Century AD), and the Kalankari art forms in the Vidharba Temple.
Indian Paintings are classified into two categories - the murals and miniatures. Murals are enormous works executed on the walls of solid constructions. Miniature paintings are those on unpreserved materials (on a very small scale) such as paper and cloth.
[Source ab (48) 29-Nov-04]
