Hidden lights Diwali’s intimate glow unveiled in Kangra paintings

Though the radiant festival of Diwali is not a central theme in Kangra miniature paintings, rare surviving examples from the early Guler-Kangra school offer a deeply intimate portrayal of its rituals. Unlike vibrant public festivities often depicted in popular art, these miniatures focus on private, devotional moments steeped in cultural nuances.

Kangra painting flourished in the late 18th century under royal patronage from rulers like Raja Dilip Chand, Goverdhan Chand of Guler, followed by Raja Sansar Chand of Kangra. Artists from the celebrated Guler Gharana, including Manaku and Nainsukh, illustrated courtly life and poetic classics. Dominant themes included romantic depictions of Radha and Krishna, the epic Ramayana, seasonal series like “Baramasa”, and the portrayal of “Nayikas”, heroines expressing various emotional states.

Set against lush, naturalistic backdrops, these works are renowned for their lyrical beauty. But Diwali, while not a primary subject, finds its place in select “Pahari” miniatures.

A few paintings from this school, now preserved in collections like the Rietberg Museum in Switzerland, show Diwali rituals described in texts such as the “Skanda Purana” and the “Padma Purana”. These scenes reveal offerings, lamps and temple rituals, reflecting a quieter, spiritual celebration of the festival.

According to Aishwarya Katoch, current head of the Kangra royal family, such artworks also echo the valley’s social harmony. “There are accounts of Hindu families sending vegetarian food to their Muslim neighbours during Diwali,” he notes the gestures of unity that subtly surface in some compositions.

Paintings with architectural elements — balconies, courtyards and temple walls — occasionally serve as backdrops for these festival scenes. One contemporary work even reimagines a Diwali night at the Kangra Fort, lit under the full moon.

Together, these rare pieces offer a unique lens on Diwali — quiet, personal and deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of the Himalayan foothills.