Original Handpainted Traditional Artworks | Pure Gold, Precious Stone Paint | Narhdawara Srinathji

Gold has been widely used since the earliest civilizations of the world (Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian) were established. Its use has been documented from the ancient era to modern times. In fact, during the Middle Ages, alchemists believed that gold had the power to transmute other metals into gold and to heal the body and soul, leading to a fascination with the metal. Throughout history, gold has been valued

Gold has been widely used since the earliest civilizations of the world (Indian, Egyptian and Mesopotamian) were established. Its use has been documented from o modern times. In fact, during the Middle Ages, chemists believed that gold had the power to transmute other metals into gold and to heal the body and soul, leading to a fascination with the metal. Throughout history, gold has been valued for its scarcity, beauty, and versatility, making it a valuable.


According to Hindu mythology, gold is considered to be the soul of the universe. The legend of the birth of Brahama and Brahmana from the golden womb or Hiranyagarbha is one such example. According to the myth, the universe was created from a golden egg or womb, which split into two halves. From one half emerged Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, and from the other half emerged the essence of the universe, Brahmana.


There are references to the use of gold in ancient Indian texts such as Ramayana and Mahabharata. Mahabharata has references to naturally occurring gold, collected from the environment by ants, and hence called piplika. Some references to this legend also come from the accounts of ancient Greek diplomat, Megasthenes. Apart from these, there are numerous references to the collection and extraction of gold in the ancient Indian books such as the works of Kautilya, Anguttara Nikaya, Gandavyuha Sukta, and Shatapata Brahmana, to name a few.


Interestingly, the Vishnudharmotar Purana refers to the use of gold to make pigments for painting. The use of this continued well into the future, as later texts such as Shilpratna and Manasolaasa also recount the same. Once painted with gold, the painting was smoothed with a boar tusk to achieve the luster of gold.


North and South Variations

The use of gold in Indian paintings can be divided into two off-shoots – northern and southern. The northern off-shoot primarily used gold in miniature paintings of Mughal and Rajasthani schools and sub-schools. The gold pigment was used to highlight the features which required emphasis or attention. While the southern off-shoot used gold in the Tanjore and Mysore paintings. The Tanjore paintings use real gold foil and the Mysore paintings use real gold varak to attract the attention towards the central deity.



According to Hindu mythology, gold is considered to be the soul of the universe. The legend of the birth of Brahama and Brahmana from the golden womb or Hiranyagarbha is one such example. According to the myth, the universe was created from a golden egg or womb, which split into two halves. From one half emerged Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, and from the other half emerged the essence of the universe, Brahmana.


There are references to the use of gold in ancient Indian texts such as Ramayana and Mahabharata. Mahabharata has references to naturally occurring gold, collected from the environment by ants, and hence called piplika. Some references to this legend also come from the accounts of ancient Greek diplomat, Megasthenes. Apart from these, there are numerous references to the collection and extraction of gold in the ancient Indian books such as the works of Kautilya, Anguttara Nikaya, Gandavyuha Sukta, and Shatapata Brahmana, to name a few.


Interestingly, the Vishnudharmotar Purana refers to the use of gold to make pigments for painting. The use of this continued well into the future, as later texts such as Shilpratna and Manasolaasa also recount the same. Once painted with gold, the painting was smoothed with a boar tusk to achieve the luster of gold.
The use of gold in Indian paintings can be divided into two off-shoots – northern and southern. The northern off-shoot primarily used gold in miniature paintings of Mughal and Rajasthani schools and sub-schools. The gold pigment was used to highlight the features which required emphasis or attention. While the southern off-shoot used gold in the Tanjore and Mysore paintings. The Tanjore paintings use real gold foil and the Mysore paintings use real gold varak to attract the attention towards the central.

The Mughal rulers embellished their paintings with intricate calligraphy and the use of gold. The artists from Akbar’s atelier developed the Mughal miniature paintings, a beautiful blend of Persian and indigenous Indian art. The paintings were adorned with gold leaves. It was also used to brighten intricate calligraphy, architectural elements, clothing, and even fine borders. Gold was also used in the Usta Kala, a Persian-influenced art form, which continued its