The miniature painting of Rajasthan, Bani Thani, is known as Monolisa of India.
Bani Thani was a singer and poet in Kishangarh in the time of Raja Samant Singh (1748–1764), whose mistress she became. After he abdicated the throne the couple retired to a comfortable life in Brindavan, a place associated with the life of Krishna, to whom Samant Singh was greatly devoted.
Bani Thani is depicted with elegant and graceful features, rather stylized, including arched eyebrows, lotus-like elongated eyes and pointed chin.One painting of her was featured in an Indian stamp issued on 5 May 1973.
The Kishangarh school of art is notable for its elongated style, with "arched eyebrows, lotus-like elongated eyes and pointed chin" a highly idealized facial form reminiscent of Indian sculpture art.Kishangarh was influenced by Būndi painting in its use of lush vegetation, dramatic night skies, vivid movement.
The patron-king Savant Singh was a member of the Vallabhācārya sect devoted to Krishna, due to which religiously themed paintings flourished in the court under his patronage. The paintings of Kishangarh school are characterised by a religious fervour and this might have been the reason why the portraiture of the queen was compared to, and is believed to have been inspired by, the figure of Radha.
Content & Pictures Source: Internet
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