Re-assessing the Islamic impression on Odishan Paintings

Abstract

Though, Islam is against the idealisation of form and there could not be an Islamic School of Painting, In the contemporary literary works of Amir Khusrav Dihlavi, Shams-i-Shiraj Afif, Maulana Daud etc. there are references to wall-paintings and painters. Odishan school of painting is divided into four branches i.e., Mural, Patta, Palm-leaf and Paper painting. The paper painting in Odisha received momentum during and after the Muslim rule in Odisha. The growth and evolution of paper paintings have been done in a restricted sphere; the paper paintings of Odisha depicted court life.  There are three categories of paper painting in Odisha. There are also a few motifs paintings which are very popular in Odisha it is said that all these paintings are religious art but also have secular themes.