Art House: Class 4 at Tippu summer palace

Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace in Bangalore is one of the few and best historical places in the garden city today.

The palace, now maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, is situated amidst a picturesque garden that enhances the beauty of the old palace. The specialty of the garden lies in the fact that it was originally planted by none other than Tipu Sultan, himself.

Built between the years 1781 and 1791, Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace in Bangalore is similar to Daria Daulat, the other palace of Tipu that is situated in Srirangapatna. As the palace was special to the mighty son of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, he called it 'Rash-e-Jannat' which literally means the abode of happiness and the envy of heaven'. The name inscribed by him on the wooden banisters of the palace can be seen by the visitors even today.

Though a large part of the palace is preserved well, the eastern wing of Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace that housed the 'Zenana' or 'Harem' has been destroyed over the time. What exists today are the wonderfully cusped rosewood arches that rise above the fluted wooden pillars and the beautiful hardly visible frescos, painted elaborately on the ceilings and walls of the palace. Although the palace was previously painted in the elaborate style of the Daria Daulat palace, now the arches and ceilings, made of expensive rosewood have been painted with dark-brown enamel paint. This gives the interior of the palace a rather sober look than warm. However, the delicate and serene white flowers painted on a warm brick-red background cover the walls like a bright carpet. Also the raised frieze of gold flowers and leaves on the plain white base of the borders are a feast to the eyes.

You are all aware of our workshop Discover Bengaluru through sketching, 24^th July, class at Tippu palace. Being in Bangalore, lot of people have not seen this wonderful place, 80% of this palace is wood, I though this place is ideal to sketch so that one can admire this palace and also under stand how to sketch and learn light and shading.

I reached the premises at 09:45, I first saw Ravi Cavale and Vishanth standing at the gate. I did not want them to stay near the gate, so I sent them inside along with Senthil to start sketching. I first told them to go around the place and then to sketch. I was waiting at the entrance for others to come. By 10:10 everybody had gone inside the Palace.

As I went inside I saw everybody busy sketching, some decided to sketch just a pillar and some compositions. Senthil also did one complete work (drawing) to motivate the participants. The class went on till 1 pm.

Sketching Scene at Tippu Summer Palace