Pandit Seu

Seu , also known as Pandit Seu, was a Pahari artist who specialized in musawir. He was attached to the court of Raja Dilip Singh of Guler State (reigned ca.1695–1741). Seu was alive when Aurangzeb was disassembling the Mughal ateliers, which led to these artists to leave Delhi for other states, such as Guler. His two sons, Manaku and Nainsukh, became successful artists in their own right. Seu served as the mentor to his elder son, Manaku, with both his sons being educated at his workshop. His son, Manaku, would later finish a Ramayana series that Seu had left unfinished.

Style Seu belonged to the phase of Pahari painting that began in 1730 onwards that was characterized by a move toward a naturalistic style and innovations, perhaps due to Mughal influence. This Mughal influence may be attributed to the weakening of Mughal state power in the early 18th century, which led the artists previously working under the Mughals to seek patronage elsewhere, such as in the Hill States. When compared to the works of his son Nainsukh, Seu more hesitantly incorporated elements from the late-Mughal-style. Seu's work is characterized by distinct outlines and an affinity for strong background colors, which is characteristic of earlier styles.

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