Rajasthani Painting or Rajput Painting, a style of indian painting , evolved and flourished during the 18th century in the royal courts of Rajputana, India. These Rajasthani Painting (Rajput Paintings) are the Hindu paintings of Rajasthan. Rajput paintings depict a number of themes, events of epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, Krishna’s life, beautiful landscapes, and humans. Influenced by the surroundings, these medieval Rajput paintings have their own unique styles. Flowing from the style of Mughal Paintngs, itself derived from the Persain Miniatures. Each Rajput kingdom evolved a distinct style, but with certain common features. Miniatures in manuscripts or single sheets to be kept in albums were the preferred medium of Rajput painting, but many paintings were done on the walls of palaces, inner chambers of the forts, havelis, particularly, the havelis of Shekhawats, the forts and palaces built by Shekhawat.
 

The colours extracted from certain minerals, plant sources, conch shells, and were even derived by processing precious stones. Gold and silver were used. The preparation of desired colours was a lengthy process, sometimes taking weeks. Brushes used were very fine. Over a period of around 300 years, beginning from the 16th century, different schools of Rajput painting emerged, and notable among them are Mewar School, Bundi-Kota kalam, Jaipur school, Bikaner school, Kishengarh school, Marwar school, and Raagamala style of painting. Give your wall a "spiritual" look with a "pichvai" hanging. The devotional cloth behind the deity in the temple of Nathdwara, depicting the moods of Lord Krishna, the spirit of the season or the theme of the festivals, form gorgeous hangings. The colors are generally prepared at home with a mix of vegetable dyes and inorganic elements.The tradition of this style of painting is kept alive bt the brahmin painters of this temple town in southern Rajasthan. These backdrops which beaytify the shrine , are frequently changed with each passing cycle.

The difference between the Rajput and the Mughal miniature paintings is in the use of colours. While the Mughal school features muted colours, giving it a shadow and depth, the Rajasthan School uses bold primary colours which give the painting an abstract look.

Some of the other Schools of Miniature Painting include paintings from Malwa School, Bundhelkhand School, Raghogarh School, Bandhelkhand School, Bani Thani and so on. The folk miniature paintings emerged in two different styles known as Phads and Pichwais. These were developed by the artisans and peasants and are very attractive and vibrant.