History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c20.s3.t3.8

v1.c20.s3.t3.8

It is declared that among all arts and skills, painting is the foremost. Just as Sumeru is the best among mountains so also painting is the foremost among all arts (*Vi Pu*. II.43.39). This suggests that ancient Indians knew the art of selecting colours and mixing them to achieve different shades. Vātsyāyana has summarised the principles of the art of painting of the 8th century A.D. under six categories amongst which *varṇikabhaṅga* or mixing of colours is one¹⁴.