FOUNDING FATHERS OF PAINTING IN INDIA AND PAKISTAN
CENTRAL ASIAN ARTISTS PART EXCELLENCE WITH BUDDHIST INSPIRATION
BUT SUBJECTS OF LITERALLY EVERY KIND
A second century painting from Miran has an elephant as well a a signature on it. The artist name is TITA. That is all that is known about Central Asian Artists. With the opening of the Silk route, whereas activity of every kind flooded the various cities on route, groups and groups of artists invaded the route, and started painting frescoes in caves everywhere. Although there is difference in various schools, yet they have all something in common, their inspiration is Sassanian Iran. It ia amazing that some of these frescoes survived the ages, and the world owes a debt to various English Scholars and Researchers, who saved this heritage of the world for the future., Special thanks should be given to Sir Aurel Stein for embarking upon an adventure of a lifetime and he started his journey from Lahore. Obviously a mere blog cannot do justice to the versatile painters of Central Asia but these artists painted not only Buddhist subjects but dilly dallied across every creative venture. Homage must be paid to these sons of different soils who brought the Art of Painting to India and Pakistan.
A thousand years of creativity can be attributed to these Masters of all times. Gradually with time they shifted to local subjects, and that is why we have in due course Islamic as well as Hindu subjects done by these Masters. Some of these frescoes exist in Kabul but also existed in some sites of Taxila, but weather has obliterated their marks in time. We will talk more about Ajanta, Bagh, and Sigriya caves in other blogs.
Never forget them
Hello,
Mu name is Sally Anne Rosenberg, and I am trying to find copies of Tita’s work in Miran. You mention a painting with an elephant. Do you know where I can find a picture of this painting?
Thank-you.
Perhaps I have it or can find it. Will check archives. Happy to hear from you and we love what we do.
Today I went through my archives and there is a a fresco of an elephant which might be TITA. A number of years back I went through Central Asian painting and studied many books, including a rare 2 volumes by Aurel Stein. There were other rarest Stein books in volumes but were worth 70,000 $ or something and I did not even touch those volumes for fear of spoiling them. And incurring the wrath of the person. There are some in our library but you would have access to them. In any case it is best to communicate with me at chughtaimuseumlahore@hotmail.com for details. I always try my best to please researchers. A few details of yourself would be helpful too.