| Title | वर्णलेप (Paint)Rare Varṇalepa Paint |
|---|---|
| Description | वर्णलेप (Varnalepa, Paint) [1], encompassing रंग (rang), रोगन (rogan), and लेप (lepa), served diverse functions in Indic heritage architecture, from protective coatings to चित्रलेप (chitralepa) murals. Traditional compositions utilized locally sourced pigments: geru (ochre) from Rajasthan quarries, रामराज (ramaraj) yellow from mines in Madhya Pradesh, kajal (lampblack), and indigo from plant sources across the subcontinent. Binders included lime (चूना, chuna), casein, plant resins, and oils, influencing viscosity (50-200 cP) and adhesion strength. Gupta [2] and Mughal Dynasties extensively employed वर्णलेप for wall paintings and decorative coatings. Layer thickness ranged from 20-50 μm. Conservation necessitates understanding pigment particle size (1-10 μm), binder refractive index (1.3-1.6), and lightfastness to mitigate degradation at sites like Ajanta Caves. Durability varies, requiring careful selection of materials for restoration. |
| Also Known As | Paint Varṇalepa Paint Coating Coloring Pigment रंग रोगन लेप चित्रलेप वर्णिका |
| Tags | चित्रकला Paint Pigment Color Mural Tibet Thangka Natural Pigment Mineral Ochre Lapis Lazuli Coating Acrylic Alkyd Finish Resin Fresco 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 28, 2025 |
| Types | Pigment Binding Medium Coating Tempera Paint Acrylic Paint Alkyd Paint Lime Wash Resin Paint Oil Paint Distemper Dye Pigment Suspension |
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| Regions | Tibet India Xinjiang Rajasthan Punjab Tamil Nadu Mizoram Afghanistan Central Asia Uzbekistan Gandhara Sri Lanka Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh Karnataka |
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| Time Periods | Ancient Early Buddhist Period Kushan Period Gupta Period Medieval Mughal Period Sikh Empire Period Modern |
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| Dynasties | Sakya Dynasty Kucha Kingdom Tibetan Empire Mughal Dynasty Sikh Dynasty Kushan Dynasty Gupta Dynasty Rajput Kingdoms Anuradhapura Kingdom Polonnaruwa Kingdom Vakataka Dynasty Chalukya Dynasty Rashtrakuta Dynasty |
| Sources | Local mineral deposits Imported pigments Plant extracts Animal products Paint manufacturers Local markets Traditional pigment preparation Vegetable oils Insect extracts Synthetic pigments 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 Layer thickness: 20-50 μm Density: 1.2-1.6 g/cm³ Adhesion strength: Varies Water resistance: Varies Coverage: 8-12 m²/liter Drying time: Varies Binder refractive index: 1.3-1.6 Color reflectance spectra: Varies with pigment Viscosity: 80-120 Krebs units Solid content: 40-60% UV resistance: Varies by pigment Abrasion resistance varies |
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| Uses | Wall paintings Thangka paintings Decoration of statues Murals Iconography Illuminating manuscripts Coloring stucco surfaces Surface protection Decorative coating Creating murals and frescoes Adding color to architectural elements Sculptural details Surface coloration Polychromy Protective coatings |
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| Materials | Lac Cow Dung Gum Arabic Resin Lime Mortar Chalk Adhesive Wood Oil Stucco Animal glue Plant gum Mineral pigments Lacquer Lime Wash Lime Marble Water Red Ochre Lapis Lazuli Vegetable oils Casein Indigo Copper Sulfate Primer Varnish Thinner Plant Extracts |
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| Styles | Tibetan Art Buddhist Art Mural Painting Kucha Buddhist Art Silk Road Art Iconography Gandhara Art Greco-Buddhist Art Mughal Painting Rajput Painting Fresco Cave Art |
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| Categories | Palace Monastery Religious Art Murals Paintings Decorative Art Temple Art Cave Paintings Fort Residential buildings Archaeological Site Sculpture Manuscripts Stupa Decoration |
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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 |
| Art Conservation Journals | Journal Article | Paint analysis |
| Site Name | Status | Usage | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rawak Stupa Hotan Xinjiang China | Primary | 100% |