| The Kutch region has a rich cultural heritage. One | | | | first English political agent of this region Capt. |
| symbol of this was the Kamangari school of painting | | | | McMurdo got his residence walls painted with the |
| peculiar to the region. In old days the rich and the | | | | scenes from the Indian epics by Kamangari artistes. |
| ruling class patronized these artistes to paint the walls | | | | His bungalow is one of the few places where this art |
| of their houses, places of work and worship. | | | | has been preserved till now. |
| The speciality of Kamangari art was that the | | | | A special thing worth noting about this art was that |
| paintings were done on on a wet plastered | | | | most of the Kamangari artistes were Muslims but |
| background so that they lasted longer. The artistes | | | | they had no problem painting the Hindu epics or |
| used brushes made from the bark of palm trees, | | | | human figures in their work. While most of the |
| using colors extracted from leaves, pebbles and clay | | | | Kamangari paintings were done walls, some artistes |
| mixed with gypsum. | | | | used paper for this art. |
| The subjects of the painting were scenes from the | | | | After enjoying the popularity for a very long time, |
| Indian epics as also from the day-to-day life of the | | | | the art started dying out in with the coming of the |
| people of those days. However, some such paintings | | | | nineteenth century and now it is as good as extinct |
| featured scenes of events and objects which were | | | | with no active Kamangari artistes engaged in this |
| not existent in the Kutch region of more than a | | | | work. The decline of the art is attributed by scholars |
| hundred years ago. The reason given for this is that | | | | to the socio-economic changes of the region as well |
| many people from this region migrated to other parts | | | | as arrival of other mediums of expression and |
| of India as well as abroad for seeking livelihood. | | | | entertainment. |
| There they came into contact with railways, | | | | But as the paintings were done with very long-lasting |
| aeroplanes, cricket matches which was something | | | | colors, there are a few places in Kutch where they |
| novel for them. When they came back to their | | | | can be seen. And the Kutch Museum has some |
| native places, they got the Kamangar artistes to | | | | samples of the art which bears testimony to the |
| paint these scenes on their walls. | | | | unmatched, exquisite skill of the accomplished |
| When the English arrived in Kutch they provided yet | | | | artistes. The notable examples are the Muhharam |
| more subjects to the Kamangari artistes who were | | | | scroll in the Kutch Museum and the Royal Procession |
| now depicting the Burra Sahibs (the big bosses), | | | | roll in the Aina Mahal, another museum in Bhuj. |
| uniformed policemen, band parties in their murals. The | | | | |