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Located in the heart of the Shekhawati region, Mandawa
is an excellent base for those seeking to discover what is
known as "The Open Air Art Gallery of Rajasthan".
This area is famous for the plethora of plain red havelis,
all commendable pieces of the rich artistic tradition of this
region known as Shekhawati. Havelis at Shekhawati built by
rich merchants of the region, display a unique architectural
style that evolved around the courtyards to ensure safety
and privacy of the women folk and protection from the heat
of the long and harsh summers. The havelis, painted predominantly
in blue, maroon, yellow green and indigo have beautiful wall
paintings that adorn their walls. The earlier wall paintings
(1830 A.D. - 2900 A.D.) were largely based on the mythological
themes, depicting local legends, animals, portraits, hunting
and wrestling scenes and a glimpse of everyday life. The turn
of 19th century saw the appearance of new motifs, an outcome
of Raj's influence upon the Indian culture. Now, cars replaced
elephants and traditional Indian miniatures mingled with naturalism
of western paintings to produce interesting hybrid results.
The mythological themes depicting wars, heroes, epics and
legends were substituted by European oleographs, lithographs
and photographs. Trains, cars, balloons, telephones, gramophones,
English men in hunting attires and portraits of the haveli
owners primely dressed, were painted all over the walls -
thus making the havelis interesting for both Indian and foreign
travellers.
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