The Vishnudharmottara Purana, especially its third Khanda, serves as an exhaustive treatise on the art and technique of Indian painting. It is a compendium of canons, methods, and ethics surrounding the art form, often referred to as ‘pratima lakshana’.

Key Components Of Pratima Lakshana

1.Roopbheda: This refers to the differentiation of looks and appearances. It serves as the fundamental basis for creating individual characters and distinguishing elements within a painting.

2.Pramana: This deals with measurements, proportions, and structure, ensuring that the forms depicted hold up to anatomical and spatial correctness.

3.Bhava: These are the expressions that bring life to the painted figures. Without bhava, the painting lacks emotion and relatability.

4.Lavanya Yojana: This is essentially the aesthetic arrangement or composition of the painting. It takes into account the balance, symmetry, and harmony of the elements within the art piece.

5.Sadrishya: This refers to the resemblance or accuracy with which real-life forms are represented in the painting.

6.Varnikabhanga: This covers the techniques used in the application of colour and includes the types of brushes to be used for various effects.