Artwork – Basholi painting

Region- Jammu & Kashmir
Basholi painting is a reputed school of Pahari miniature art that flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is characterized by its bold, intense colors—particularly the use of yellow and red—and strong, vigorous lines that give the artwork a unique primitive energy. A distinct feature of this style is the use of beetle wings to represent emeralds in jewelry, providing a shimmering, three-dimensional effect. The themes mostly revolve around the devotional love of Radha and Krishna, along with illustrations of the Rasamanjari and Gita Govinda. This style is considered the earliest of the Pahari paintings, known for its stylized facial features like large, expressive almond-shaped eyes.