| Title | वर्णलेप - Varnalepa (Paint)वर्णलेप Varnalepa |
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| Description | Varnalepa (Paint) in ancient India consisted of natural pigments mixed with binders like lime, casein, or plant resins. Pigments included geru (ochre), kajal (lampblack), and indigo. Properties vary greatly depending on the composition. |
| Tags | चित्रकला Chitrakalā Paint Pigment Color Mural Tibet Thangka चित्रकला वर्ण Chitrakalā Varna Natural Pigment Murals चित्रकला वर्णक Chitrakalā Varnak Chitrakala Varnaka रंग Rang Kizil Caves Xinjiang Mineral Ochre Lapis Lazuli Raṅg Coating Acrylic Alkyd Ranga Kuqa Ming-Öy Hematite Raṅga Dambulla रङ्ग Ajanta Lampblack रोगन Rogan Finish Resin वर्ण Varna Fresco वर्णलेप Varnalepa Conservation |
| Material ID | INHFMAT-015898711-20-11-25-VP |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/paint |
| API Endpoint | https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/paint |
| Total Sites | 1 |
| Primary Sites | 1 |
| Created | November 20, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 20, 2025 |
| Types | Mineral Pigment Organic Pigment Binding Medium Organic Binder Pigment Binder Coating Natural Pigment Tempera Paint Pigmented Material Pigmented Coating Acrylic Paint Alkyd Paint Organic Dye Vegetable Dye Lime Wash Resin Paint Oil Paint Distemper Synthetic Material Pigment Suspension |
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| Regions | Tibet India Pan-Indian Pan-India Xinjiang Rajasthan Punjab Tamil Nadu Pan-Indian (Modern) Mizoram Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan Arunachal Pradesh Central Asia Surxondaryo Region, Uzbekistan Gandhara region Kushan territories Ajanta Ellora Sri Lanka Bagh Caves Throughout India Gandhara Gujarat (Rogan art) Rajasthan (Wall paintings) Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) Ellora Caves (Maharashtra) Bagh Caves (Madhya Pradesh) Badami |
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| Time Periods | 17th Century CE 13th century CE Yuan Dynasty Ancient times onwards Ancient Medieval Modern 15th Century CE 15th Century CE onwards 4th-8th century CE 7th century CE Mughal Period CE Sikh Empire Period CE 20th Century CE 21st Century CE Modern Period CE 6th-7th century CE Modern Period 6th-8th century CE 4th-5th century CE Early Buddhist Period Medieval Period Ancient times Medieval Period CE 2nd-5th century CE Kushan Period (1st-5th century CE) Ajanta Caves (2nd century BCE to 5th century CE) Ancient - Present 1st-3rd century CE Modern Era Early Buddhist Period (2nd century BCE) Gupta Period (320-550 CE) Ancient Period Gupta Period |
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| Dynasties | Fifth Dalai Lama's Reign Sakya Dynasty Various dynasties across India and Tibet Kucha Kingdom Tibetan Empire Mughal Sikh Likely local rulers under Kushan influence Kushan Gupta Dynasty Rajput Kingdoms Anuradhapura Kingdom Polonnaruwa Kingdom Gupta Vakataka Mughal (Miniature paintings) Rajput (Wall paintings) Satavahana Rajput Chalukya Rashtrakuta |
| Sources | Local mineral deposits Imported pigments from India and China Imported from India or China Mineral deposits Plant extracts Animal products Mineral deposits (lapis lazuli, ochre) Plant extracts (indigo) Animal products (glue) Mineral deposits (ochre, lapis lazuli) Plant sources (indigo, madder) Animal sources (glue) Plants for gums Animals for glue Mineral deposits in Tibet and surrounding regions Plant and animal sources Local pigment sources Imported pigments Paint manufacturers (various locations) Asian Paints Berger Paints Paint manufacturers across India Imported lapis lazuli Local markets Traditional pigment preparation Local mineral deposits, imported pigments via Silk Road Plant sources for oils Natural mineral deposits Insect extracts Plant sources Paint manufacturers Commercial paint manufacturers Natural pigments (ochre, indigo, turmeric) Synthetic pigments (modern paints) Vegetable oils (linseed, sesame) Local paint suppliers Insect secretions Natural pigments Soot |
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| Properties | Pigment particle size: 1-10 μm Binder viscosity: 50-200 cP Refractive index: Varies by pigment Lightfastness: Varies by pigment Particle size: 1-10 micrometers (pigments) Binder viscosity: Varies Binder viscosity: Variable Layer thickness: 20-50 μm Lightfastness: Variable (depending on pigment) Particle size: 1-10 μm Refractive index: Varies with pigment Lightfastness: Varies with pigment Binder: Animal glue or vegetable gum Pigment particle size: 1-10 micrometers Binder: Proteinaceous (animal glue, casein) Refractive index (pigments): Varies depending on pigment Binder viscosity: Varies depending on type Color fastness: Varies depending on pigment Opacity: Varies depending on pigment Binder viscosity: variable Lightfastness: variable depending on pigment Reflectance: variable depending on pigment Color fastness: Varies Opacity: Varies Pigment composition: Variable Binder: Lime, oil, or resin Viscosity: Variable Opacity: Variable Viscosity: Varies Density: 1.2-1.6 g/cm³ Adhesion strength: Varies Water resistance: Varies Coverage: 8-12 m²/liter Drying time: Varies Lightfastness varies depending on pigment Particle size affects color intensity Binder affects adhesion and durability Color fastness: Varies by pigment Refractive index varies by pigment Lightfastness varies by pigment Binder refractive index: 1.3-1.6 Color reflectance spectra: Varies with pigment Colorfastness: Moderate Colorfastness (variable) Opacity (variable) Adhesion to substrate Breathability Colorfastness Opacity Adhesion Colorfastness: Varies Particle size: 1-10 microns Binder viscosity: 50-150 cP Binder: Lime water, vegetable gum Color stability depends on pigment type Reflectance varies with pigment Particle size Color stability: Dependent on pigment Viscosity varies Drying time varies Opacity varies Abrasion resistance varies Viscosity: 80-120 Krebs units Solid content: 40-60% Drying time: 4-8 hours UV resistance: Varies by pigment Varies depending on composition Oil-based paints: Durable, slow drying Water-based paints: Less durable, faster drying Viscosity: varies Drying time: varies Opacity: varies Pigment particle size: 1-10 microns Binder type: Plant gums, animal glue Layer thickness: 20-50 microns per coat Reflectance: Varies with pigment Binder type: Oil, gum, resin Resistance to fading Viscosity Adhesion: Varies Composition: Natural pigments and binders Variable depending on composition |
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| Uses | Wall paintings Thangka paintings Decoration of statues Ornamentation Murals Thangkas Decorative elements Statues Decorative paintings Statue decoration Decorative murals Iconography Decorative surfaces Illuminating manuscripts Mural paintings Decorative motifs Illustrations Coloring stucco surfaces Decorative coatings Wall decoration Ceiling decoration Mural painting Surface protection Decorative coating on walls Protective coating on metal and wood Exterior and interior finishes Decorative coating Protective coating Wall painting Decoration of walls and sculptures Creating murals and frescoes Adding color to architectural elements Decorative details Decorative embellishments Iconographic representations Sculptural details Color coding Decorative finishes Illuminated manuscripts Surface coloration Mural decorations Manuscript illustrations Sculptural decoration Polychromy Sculptural embellishment Protective coatings Interior walls Exterior walls Decorative coating for walls Protection of wood surfaces Exterior finishing Interior finishing Artwork Protection against weather Coloring surfaces Exterior wall coating Interior wall coating Ceiling decorations Sculptural embellishments Manuscript illumination Fresco paintings Sculpture decoration |
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| Materials | लाक्षा - Lākshā (Lac) गोमय - Gomaya (Cow Dung) गोंद - Gond (Gum Arabic) राल - Rāla (Resin) चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar) चूना - Chunā (Lime Plaster) खड़िया - Khadiyā (Chalk) लाख - Lākh (Lac) वज्रलेप - Vajralepa (Adhesive) काष्ठ - Kāshtha (Wood) (for panels) गोंद - Gond (Gum) तेल - Tel (Oil) गोंद - Gonda (Gum Arabic) लेप - Lepa (Stucco) Animal glue Plant gum Mineral pigments लाख - Lākh (Lacquer) काष्ठ - Kāshtha (Wood) चूना - Chunā (Lime Wash) चूना - Chunā (Lime) संगमरमर - Sangamarmar (Marble) लेप - Lepa (Stucco) as a base जल - Jala (Water) for mixing जल - Jala (Water) गोंद - Gonda (Gum) गेरू - Geru (Red Ochre) नीला थोथा - Neelā Thothā (Lapis Lazuli) चूना - Chunā (Lime) as a base Vegetable oils Casein Plant gums Geru (Ochre) गेरू - Gerū (Ochre) नील - Nīl (Indigo) Gum Arabic सुधालेप - Sudhālepa (Stucco) गोन्द - Gonda (Animal Glue) Taila (Oil) Kāshtha (Wood) for scaffolding गेरू - Geru (Ochre) रामराज - Ramaraj (Yellow Ochre) नीला थोथा - Nīlā Thothā (Copper Sulfate) Primer Varnish प्राइमर - Prāimara (Primer) पतला करने वाला - Patlā karane vālā (Thinner) खड़िया - Khadiya (Chalk) नील - Neel (Indigo) तैला - Taila (Oil) कषाय - Kashāya (Plant Extracts) Chunā (Lime Mortar) Gomaya (Cow Dung) Gum arabic |
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| Styles | Tibetan Art Buddhist Art Tibetan Buddhist Art Mural Painting Tibetan Buddhist art Various Indian painting styles Kucha Buddhist Art Silk Road Art Iconography Mughal architecture style Rajput architecture style Sikh architecture style Modern architecture Regional vernacular architecture All styles Gandhara style Tibetan Buddhist Architecture Cave art Buddhist art Buddhist cave painting Gandhara art Kushan art Ajanta cave paintings Rajput miniature paintings Sri Lankan mural painting Indian mural traditions Ajanta painting style Mural painting Gandhara art style Mural paintings Gandhara painting style Greco-Buddhist art Restoration projects Modern Indian Architecture Mughal painting Rajput painting Fresco Wall painting Mughal miniature painting Ajanta paintings Mughal miniature paintings Rajput paintings Cave paintings Indian mural painting Mural art |
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| Categories | Palace Monastery Religious Art Murals Paintings Decorative Art Temple Art Cave Paintings Fort Residential buildings Temples Mural Painting Chorten Cave Temple Archaeological Site Mural painting Sculpture Decorative arts Cave Temples Palaces Manuscripts Temple Art Mural Painting Caves Stupa Sculptures Decoration Surface finishes Artwork Wall decoration Architectural finishes Cave paintings Temple decorations Cave painting Temple art Manuscript illumination Cave temples |
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| Notes |
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| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studies in Conservation | Journal Article | Analysis of pigments in Indian paintings |
| Artists' Pigments: A Handbook of Their History and Characteristics | Book | Technical guide on paint pigments and their properties |
| Manufacturer's technical data sheets | Technical Specification | Paint properties and application guidelines |
| The Conservation of Wall Paintings | Book | Techniques for preserving ancient murals |
| The Art of Ajanta | Book | Pigment analysis and painting techniques |
| Paint Technology Handbooks | Technical Handbook | Paint composition and properties |
| Traditional Indian Pigments and Paints | Research Paper | Composition and application techniques |
| The Art of Ajanta | Book | Pigment analysis and painting techniques |
| Art Conservation Journals | Journal Article | Paint analysis |
| The Art of Ajanta | Book | Pigment analysis and conservation |
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rawak Stupa Hotan Xinjiang China | Primary | 100% |