Miniature Paintings at Shimla State Museum

Shown in the video is the collection of Pahari Miniature Paintings in the Shimla State Museum in Himachal Pradesh. Most of the collection belongs to ‘Kangra- Kalam’ (one of the main forms of Pahari paintings).

As the name suggests, Pahari painting literally means paintings from the hills of India, in the sub-Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh and is a type of Indian painting. The style has undergone a lot of modification during its lifetime. In places like Basohli, Nurpur, Chamba, Kangra, Guler, Mandi and Garhwal paintings were mostly done in miniature forms.

The state museum is a major attraction of the Mall area of Shimla and is built in the style of a colonial mansion with sprawling lawns all around. This museum was inaugurated in 1974.