The Rajasthani miniature evolved styles that became apparent in the different Kingdoms where it found patronage. Used initially as the illustration for the text, they evolved later as the portfolios of the life and times of their royal patrons.
In Rajasthan there were seven distinctive styles of what are also referred to as Rajput paintings and they evolved in the following seven states.
One of the finest schools of miniatures developed in this desert state. Early examples exist from 1600 on and show a marked Mughal influence. In fact, the local style kept pace with the painters in the Mughals court, and were expressive of their nuances even when the Bikaneri artist tended to be more expressive. There have been cases of Mughals and Bikaneri miniatures being mistaken for each other, even though the painting used backgrounds and colors capes that are more pleasant, and the foliage (as if to make up for the desert conditions), more luxuriant. There is a palette of delicate subcolours, and a delicacy in the portrayal of the human and vegetation at forms.

USTA ARTS

Usta Art came from Iran and flourished in the Mughal durbars and inter-mingled with the Indian culture. Raja Rai Singh, the then king of Bikaner, brought nawab Usta artists to his kingdom. The Usta artisans of Bikaner developed a new stream of Usta art. Their descendents manifested its beauty in the form of Bikaner's fabulous Junagarh Fort's Anoop palace, Chandra palace, karan palace and Phool Mahal. The art is still thriving and to this day , Usta craftsmen can be seen practicing the art, handed down by their ancestors.
In 1989 Mo. Haneef was honored with state award for his excellence in Manowati Gold embossing. He is being awarded National award for his excellence in Manowati Gold Nakkashi.
At present you can find usta work at Rampuria havelies (Bikaner), Ajmer Dargah, Delhi Mizamudin Oliya and Mazaar of Amir khusro the Junagarh fort. During the British rule, leather goods came in use for embossing. After the emboding, it is painted and gold is applied where ever required. Then the ink is used with a brush made of squirrel hair to fill the design withdifferent colours.The Usta art of Bikaner is world famous for its multidimensional forms like meenakari on camel hide, golden meenakari and paintings in palaces and havelis of Bikaner. Mohd. Hanif Usta is a leading Usta artisan of the state. He has inherited this art form from his forefathers and has created excellent pieces of art displayed on camel hide, stone and metal.
Apart from Utsa art, there are varied forms of miniature paintings that are quite popular with contributions from eminent artists.
This art came in India with Usta artists from Iran brought by the emperors and flourished in the Mughal period in courts and palaces. A group of seven Usta artists paintings can be seen even today in the rooms of the Junagarh fort. During the British rule, leather goods came in use for embossing. After the emboding, if is painted and gold is applied where ever required. Then the ink is used with a brush made of squirrel hair to fill the design with different colours. The Usta art of Bikaner is world famous for its multidimensional forms like meenakari on camel hide, golden meenakari and painting in Usta is a leading usta artisan of the state. He has inherited this art form from his forefathers and has created excellent pieces of art displyed on camel hide, stone and metal.