HISTORY OF NIRMAL ART

INTRODUCTION
Andhra Pradesh is a land rich with a wide array of fascinating art forms and each
one is unique in style, concept, expression and theme. One such art form that
captivates people is Nirmal painting. Nirmal painting is named after the village
where this art form originated. The small village of Nirmal is nestled amidst the forest
in Adilabad District in the Telangana region. It is about 383 kilometres from
Hyderabad

ORIGIN OF NIRMAL PAINTINGS
The evolution of this Nirmal art and craft can be traced back to old days of Kakatiya
dynasty. This craft is a form of lacquered woodwork that was born in Nirmal town
and since then, this art has remained an attraction through all these ages and now a
days it is made both in Nirmal town and Hyderabad .
The Community of Nirmal artisans were known as Nakkash, lives in Nirmal town.
These creative artisans painted scenes from Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the
Mahabharatha, as well as legends from the Puranas. During the Mughal era, the
emperors were extremely enchanted by this art form and this resulted in the rulers
patronising this art form extensively.



Nirmal occupies a leading place in the handicrafts map of India; the land of crafts
and craftsmanship. The specialty of this craftsmanship is the utilization of simple
articles, which are available locally in abundance. Under the royal patronage of then
ruling nobility Nirmal craftsmen have expertise in wooden engravings. The
uniqueness of Nirmal crafts is that local available materials are used. The list of
Nirmal goods is endless but the basic material used is wood whether it is furniture,
toys, plaques, bangles, jewellery boxes, screens or miniature paintings.


The credit for spreading the word about Nirmal paintings goes to Lady Hyderi, who
brought the artisans to Hyderabad five centuries later.
While Nirmal paintings were developing and evolving, even Nirmal art was being
developed. Initially, the artistes created mythological figures and creatures and took
inspiration from nature to create birds, flowers, animals and trees. But the dawn of
17th century saw a new horizon of this art form. The subsequent generations of
Nirmal artisans did not restrict themselves to mythological themes. The local talent
was exploited and articles of utility and decoration started to be manufactured.
Over the last few years, Nirmal work has evolved to cater to the new demands.
Besides the wall hangings, Nirmal craftsmen also crafted exquisite lacquered
furniture, large screens, boxes, bowls, trays, toys and pictures. Assortments of
decoration and utilitarian articles are crafted in Nirmal art style. Moving away from
just being painters of these epics, the craftsmen now paint motifs in old Indian school
style. The motifs used are frescoes from Ajanta, Kangra, Mughal miniatures and
floral designs.


Legend says that the Nizams of Hyderabad were very much inclined by the Nirmal
craftsman ship.
Once during his visit to Nirmal The Nizam was given a tremendous grand welcome,
all the craftsmen indulged themselves in decorating the venue; which included an
intricately designed banana bud whose petals were coloured gold. This
embellishment was suspended above the Nizams seat, which unfurled and
showering cascade of golden coloured petals on The Nizam. The Soma Kshatriyas
or the woodcarving received the royal patronage of the overwhelmed Nizam.
What makes Nirmal paintings and art unique is the usage of local materials to paint
and create craft items. Wood forms the basis for the paintings and craft, and locally
available soft white wood called Ponki chekka is used.
CREATION OF NIRMAL PAINTINGS
The technique involves lacquering the wood surface and then painting the precise
design. The conventional designs can be traced and drawn in chalk on any
composition board or smoothened wood and then painted in bright and flat colours
while are often touched up with gold and finally varnished.

The organic colours used are made from herbs, gums, and minerals. The gold which
is found in this work is extracted from herbal juices. The painting of mugal miniatures
on white wood ponki is very attractive. As these items age, they acquire an exquisite
muted glow which is simply impeccable.
CREATION OF NIRMAL TOYS
The Nirmal toys are made from extract of herbs which provides them with a golden
sheen. They are generally models of human occupations, fruits, and animals.

White wood Ponki is used, which is very light and flexible and can be cut into desired
shape and size depending upon the toy to be made. Then various parts of toy are
glued together by specially prepared glue and coated with chinta lappam, which is
prepared from sawdust and boiled tamarind seeds and coated with white clay, which
smoothens any ridges and depressions if any in the toys. The toys are then dried
and finally coloured with brilliant hues. Mostly indigenously prepared hues are used
for colouring the toys, very rare and occasional use of synthetic colours is done.
Herbs, resins and minerals are used to create the vibrant colours.

There are many similarities amid the Kondapally and Nirmal toys as they are made
from the same kind of wood during their manufacturing process. But the Kondapally
toys are generally coated with plain water colors whereas the Nirmal toys are
particularly embellished with oil paints. Both these kinds of toys are treated with
special tamarind paste in the primary stage before they are painting.
The Prominent difference amid these is that after treating, the complete Nirmal toy is
covered with fabric, rather than lime blue which are used for Kondapally toys.
The making of the wall plaques or the artifacts slightly varies from that of making,
toys. The wood, which is being used here, is teak, which is well finished on lathe
before painting the predefined design. Then the plaque is sprayed with Duco paint in
the desired background colour, the artist then paints the already determined design.
The quality of paintings is very high with intricate designs, rare artistry and skill giving
rise to breath-taking beauty.
Keeping pace with the fast changing trends the Nirmal craftsmen have developed
styles to suite the modern taste without moving away from tradition and intricacy of
the art the items are contemporary in design. Experimentation with colours has
resulted in hues, which are very tasteful.


The Nirmal painting was developed in Hyderabad in last few decades seasoned with
teak, duco paint and varnish.
The Nirmal Industry has been growing ever since its inception in 1951 at
Hyderabad, which developed Nirmal paintings, and handicrafts command the
international market.
Nirmal Toys Industrial Cooperative Society is situated on National Highway #
7, which was established in 1955 housing 60 artisans is the main toy making unit
while the Hyderabad branch manufactures furniture and miniature paintings.
Nirmal Painting and wooden toys are famous all over the world. From the rustic
ethos to the royal environment, from flora to fauna, an explicit array of expressions is
portrayed in myriad colours and forms on Nirmal products.