How is the style of Basohli painting characterised in its use of colour?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Strong use of primary colours and warm yellows
Option (1) Refined, subdued and elegant colours — Incorrect. This describes the Guler–Kangra style, set against the Basohli style.
Option (2) Strong use of primary colours and warm yellows — Correct. Basohli is marked by primary colours and warm yellows filling the background and horizon.
Option (3) Lavish use of grey and terracotta red in the background — Incorrect. Grey and terracotta red backgrounds belong to the Kullu style.
Option (4) Delicate pastel shades with daring expanses of white or grey — Incorrect. Pastel shades with white or grey were the palette of Nainsukh.
NCERT (2026-27): “Basohli School The first and most dramatic example of work from the hill states is from Basohli. From 1678 to 1695, Kirpal Pal, an enlightened prince, ruled the state. Under him, Basohli developed a distinctive and magnificent style. It is characterised by a strong use of primary colours and warm yellows — filling the background and horizon, stylised treatment of vegetation and raised white paint for imitating the representation of pearls in ornaments.” “Guler School …This style is more refined, subdued and elegant …” “…Briefly mentioning the aspects of the other centres, one finds portraits of the rulers of Chamba in the seventeenth and early eighteenth century in the Basohli style. Kullu emerged with a distinctive style, where figures had a prominent chin and wide open eyes, and lavish use of grey and terracotta red colours in the background was made.” |