The Universal Scholar Journal

Abstract

Indian Knowledge Systems represent a vast and diverse body of knowledge developed through centuries of interaction between communities, culture, spirituality, nature and lived experience. Traditional Indian art forms constitute an important part of this knowledge heritage, as they preserve not only aesthetic traditions but also indigenous techniques, cultural values, social practices and collective memory. Within this framework, Pahari mural painting occupies a significant position as an artistic tradition of the Himalayan hill regions, particularly Himachal Pradesh. Developed largely under Rajput patronage, Pahari art evolved through important centres such as Basohli, Guler, Kangra, Mandi and Chamba and incorporated influences from Bhakti traditions, classical literature, regional culture and the natural environment. This paper examines Pahari mural painting as a living component of the Indian Knowledge System rather than merely as an object of artistic or historical importance. It analyses the indigenous knowledge embedded in traditional materials, natural pigments, painting techniques, religious narratives and representations of nature and community life. The paper further considers Pahari murals as repositories of cultural memory that preserve regional customs, architecture, dress, court life, devotional practices and the relationship between human beings and their natural surroundings. At the same time, this heritage faces serious challenges arising from environmental deterioration, loss of traditional patronage, urbanisation, inadequate documentation and weakening intergenerational transmission of artistic knowledge. The study adopts a historical, doctrinal and analytical approach to examine these concerns and explores sustainable conservation through community participation, traditional knowledge transmission, legal and institutional protection, digital documentation and modern conservation practices. It argues that meaningful conservation of Pahari murals must extend beyond the physical preservation of paintings to the protection of the knowledge, practitioners, cultural narratives and communities associated with them. Such an integrated approach can transform heritage conservation into a means of sustaining indigenous knowledge, cultural diversity and intergenerational continuity in contemporary society.

References

Books

Chaitanya, K. (1976). A history of Indian paintings. Abhinav Publications.

Chaitanya, K. (1987). Arts of India: Architecture, sculpture, painting, music, dance and handicraft. Abhinav Publications.

Jeratha, A. (1995). The splendour of Himalayan art and culture. Indus Publishing.

Kramrisch, S. (1986). Painted delight: Indian paintings from Philadelphia collections. Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Ohri, V. C. (1991). On the origin of Pahari painting: Some notes and discussion. Indian Institute of Advanced Study.

Randhawa, M. S. (1959). Basohli paintings. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

Randhawa, M. S. (1962). Kangra paintings on love. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.

Seth, M. (1984). Dogra wall paintings in Jammu and Kashmir. University Press.

Sharma, O. C. (2018). Kangra school of Pahari paintings. National Publishing House.

Singh, C. (1982). Centre of Pahari paintings. Abhinav Publications.

Singh, M. (1971). Himalayan art. Macmillan Company.

Srivastava, P. R. (1983). Punjab paintings. Abhinav Publications.

Journal Articles

Cuni, J., Cuni, P., Eisen, B., Savizki, R., & Bove, J. (2012). Characterization of the binding medium used in Roman encaustic paintings. Analytical Methods, 4(3), 659–665.

Pundir, I., & Shruti. (2019). Miniature art in Pahari region. International Journal of Research in Engineering, IT & Social Sciences, 9(6), 117–123.

Sharma, J. (2020). Phenomenal Pahari paintings. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 25(3), 52–60.

Government, Policy and Legal Documents

Government of Himachal Pradesh. (n.d.). Project Srijan initiative reports. Government of Himachal Pradesh.

Government of India. (1999). The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.

Ministry of Education, Government of India. (2020). National Education Policy 2020. Government of India.

UNESCO. (2003). Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage. UNESCO.

Newspaper Articles

Pandey, S. (2025, January 12). Heart of the village: A painting, a temple and a father-son duo. The Tribune.

Thakur, N. K. (2021, January 3). To revive Kangra art, serve it on a plate. Hindustan Times.

Thakur, N. K. (2021, September 26). Project Srijan takes traditional Kangra art online for wider reach. Hindustan Times.

Selected Online Sources

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025). Basohli painting.

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025). Kangra painting.

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2025). Mural painting.

Kathua District Administration. (2025). Basohli paintings. Government of Jammu and Kashmir.

Classical and Literary Sources

Bhagavata Purana.

Jayadeva. Gita Govinda.

Keshavdas. Rasikapriya.

Mahabharata.

Ramayana.

Metric

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Pahari Mural Painting as an Indian Knowledge System: Indigenous Art, Cultural Memory and Sustainable Heritage Conservation