Bani Thani

 

·       Bani Thani is an Indian painting in the Kishangarh school of paintings, painted by Nihal chand.

·       It has been labeled as India's "Mona Lisa".

·       The painting’s subject, Bani Thani, was a singer and poet in Kishangarh in the time of king Sawant Singh (1748–1764).

·       Bani Thani is depicted with elegant and graceful features, rather stylized, including arched eyebrows, lotus-like elongated eyes and pointed chin. 

·       One painting of her was featured in an Indian stamp issued on 5 May 1973.

Kishangarh school

·       Kishangarh painting, 18th-century school of the Rajasthani style of Indian painting that arose in the princely state of Kishangarh, central Rajasthan state. 

·       The school is clearly distinguished by its individualistic facial type and its religious intensity. 

·       The Kishangarh school of art is notable for its elongated style, with "arched eyebrows, lotus-like elongated eyes and pointed chin" a highly idealized facial form reminiscent of Indian sculpture art. 

·       Kishangarh was influenced by Bundi painting in its use of lush vegetation, dramatic night skies, vivid movement and Mughal painting in its use of side-profile portraits, though it can be distinguished from both of them due to its extremely meticulous details, rich colours and fine technique.

·       The paintings of Kishangarh school are characterised by a religious fervour and this might have been the reason why the portraiture of the queen was compared to, and is believed to have been inspired by, the figure of Radha.