Painting in rich Mughal and Rajput styles, the court painters shifted their renderings to the demanded adjustments of British East India Company thereby having projected a palpable change in the map of Indian art. The shift occurred during...

The iconic Peacock Throne or the Takht-i-taus was the greatest accumulation of precious gemstones in the 17th Century. Commissioned in 1628 by Shah Jahan, this exquisite artifact serves as yet another reminder of the extravagant Mughal era. Although the coveted...

Diwali or Deepawali is an ancient festival and arguably the most important of all Hindu holidays.  It is the third day of a five-day-long celebration that also includes the Hindu New Year. Diwali falls on the night of the...

The Hindu trinity comprises Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the preserver and Shiva (or Mahesh), the destroyer. These three Gods represent the cyclical nature of our existence from birth, preservation, destruction to subsequent regeneration. These Gods are identifiable in their artistic...

Abu’l Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar was born in poverty when his father, Humayun was driven into exile by Sher Shah Suri. His destiny as one of the greatest rulers of South Asia and the third richest man of...

Lakshmi is a prominent Hindu deity who is also revered by Buddhists and Jains. Her eminent position in the Hindu pantheon emanates not only from her role as the wife of Vishnu (the preserver of the Hindu trinity) but...

Venus (also known by her Greek name Aphrodite) is the Goddess of Love. We’ve explored some famous Venus’ here. Next, Velázquez’s portrait put her onto the list of contenders for “Best Bums in Art.” Then there’s a discussion...