Expert: Aupmanyav - 1/14/2009

Question
I  have some original drawings of the Hindu Gods date "1809" and I would like to find out more about them?  They are original drawings and they seem to be a very important piece of the Hinduism history?  They are so old they are browning and crumbling at some of the edges of the handmade, 2-ply papers?  If you are not familliar with this art history can you get me in touch with an expert in this field?  I have been trying to research this for a while and I just can't find anything that far back? I am not interested in the religion.  I am only interested in information about the ancient art in my posession?  
Any help would be much appreciated.  
Thank you, Melanie

Answer
Dear Melanie,

Hindu God paintings have been made all over India. They could be 'Pahari' (Region - Jammu in Jammu & Kashmir), Eastern (Bengal and Orissa), Vraja (Agra & Lucknow), Rajasthani (Nathdwara), Thanjavvur (Tamilnadu), etc. Then, which God is depicted. Regional folk art. So unless I get a look at the paintings, it would be difficult to say where they are from. Some person asked me about a copper plate about a year ago, he/she had included the images, so it was easy for me. I would request you to load the images on some site or send them to me by email at reuamar@gmail.com, so that I can give you the correct information. Where did you buy them, from a curio shop? I have a manuscript with miniature paintings which (to the best of my information) were painted by my great-grandfather, we are from Jammu & Kashmir. It is a family heirloom. With best regards,

Yours sincerely,

Aupmanyav