Famous Indian paintings are those which are the examples of great expressions of art. For long, a large number of painters have contributed significantly to this art form of India. It is practically impossible to select a few famous paintings from among a large number of beautiful paintings in India.

Some of the most famous Indian paintings include `Shakuntala` by Raja Ravi Verma, Bharat Mata by Abanindranath Tagore, Doll-series by Bikash Bhattacharya, `Mahisasur` by Tyeb Mehta, `Series on Bengal Famine` by Jainul Abedin, `Seated Woman in Sari` by Jamini Roy, `Horses-series` by M.F. Hussain and many more.

Different Famous Indian paintings
Following are the famous Indian Paintings:

Self Portrait by Amrita Sher-Gil: It is a 1931 self-portrait by Amrita Sher-Gil which depicts one of India`s most significant contemporary artists at the age of 18. This is also the first painting by the artist ever to be presented in Christie`s London.

Bharat Mata by Abanindranath Tagore: It is one of the most famous and iconic paintings of Abanindranath Tagore. This painting shows Bharat Mata in a saffron dressed woman, wearing clothes like a sadhvi, holding a book, sheaves of paddy, a piece of white cloth and a wreath in her four hands. It is greatly essential for its emotional and historical value; the painting became hugely popular amid the nationalists in those days, particularly in the stir of Lord Curzon`s plan to separate Bengal.

Shakuntala by Raja Ravi Verma: One of the most famous Indian paintings is `Shakuntala` by Raja Ravi Verma. Ravi Verma, in his stunning painting, presented the gorgeous Shakuntala, playing to get rid of a spike from her foot, while in actuality searching for Dushyantha, her lover. It is based on the great Indian Epic of Mahabharata. Shakuntala can be seen in this painting in a sitting posture with her friends or sakhis; Mitrayarya and Priyamvada.

Bapuji by Nandlal Bose: His celebrated linocut portrait of the Mahatma titled "Dandi March" created in 1930, reproduces his admiration for Gandhi and is on enduring exhibit at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi.

Mahishasura by Tyeb Mehta: The painting occurred after Tyeb`s visit to Shantiniketan where he was encouraged by the fairy tales of Mahishasura. Mehta combines antique imagery with cleanness of form, colour and line, resulting in a strongly contemporary work full of fresh energy.

Self-Portrait by Rabindranath Tagore: This painting portrays the complete-face, self-representation of the bearded artist, developed by the lack of colour and the exercise of ancient looking pencil lines.

Three Pujarins by Jamini Roy: Jamini Roy painted three almond-eyed priestesses for his work named Three Pujarins. Roy tested with lively colours and developed his own individual style of painting which resulted in artwork which was a visual feast being inspired by the folk art tradition of Bengal.

Horses by M F Husain: This painting by M F Husain captures the authority and energy of three horses through bold outlines which describe the strong creature in full race. Among Husain"s best works this painting was placed on public sale at Christie"s in 2008 and fetched over INR 1 crore.

Glow of Hope by S L Haldankar: This watercolour masterwork is popularly recognized as Lady with the Lamp or Glow of Hope has been a star attraction in the Sri Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery in Jaganmohan Palace in Mysore for almost 60 years now.

Some of the famous Indian paintings include the portraits of Indira Gandhi, Satyajit Ray, Rabindranath Tagore and Samaresh Basu by Bikash Bhattacharya. Some of the famous paintings of Anjolie Ela Menon include Virgin Mary and Jesus paintings, Unquiet Landscape, The Magician Story, Legend of the seafarer`s wife, Shabnam, etc.