Basohli Painting [UPSC Notes]

The world-famous Basohli painting, an art form from Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, has obtained the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. This comes after approval from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).
The GI tag provides legal protection to the original producers, prevents unauthorized use by third parties, boosts exports, and promotes economic prosperity for producers and stakeholders.

In this context, know more about Basohli paintings and their speciality for the IAS exam art and culture segment.

What is Basohli Painting?

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• Basohli painting is a traditional art form that originated in the Basohli town of Jammu and Kashmir, known for its rich cultural heritage. 
• It is a distinct style of miniature painting that has a unique blend of Hindu mythology, folk art, and Persian influences. 
• Basohli paintings are known for their vibrant colours, intricate details, and unique style, characterized by bold lines, intense facial expressions, and rich ornamentation. 
• The themes of Basohli paintings often revolve around religious and mythological stories, depicting gods, goddesses, saints, and scenes from epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Nine Products from Jammu and Kashmir Granted GI Tags:

• The efforts of NABARD and the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom (J&K) have resulted in the grant of GI tags to nine products from Jammu and Kashmir. 
• These products, apart from Basohli painting, include Basohli pashmina woollen products (Kathua), Chikri wood craft (Rajouri), Bhaderwah rajma (Doda), Mushkbudji rice (Anantnag), Kaladi (Udhampur), Sulai honey (Ramban), Anardana (Ramban), and Ladakh wood carving (Ladakh). 
• This is the highest-ever number of products granted GI tags in a single year, and it reflects the rich cultural heritage and diversity of Jammu and Kashmir.

What are the main features of Basohli painting?

The characteristic features of these paintings were the use of bright and bold colours like red, yellow, and blue in the borders, as well as for the generally flat background. The other distinguishing part was the facial features – a prominent nose and lotus-shaped eyes.

Who is the famous painter of Basholi school?

Devidasa is considered a famous painter from the Basohli school.

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