Page 175 - Eye of the beholder

ShiVa in indian MiniaTureS
Shaivism has ancient roots, traceable even to pre-vedic iconography. In Rajasthan, the various ruling clans at different times were Shaivites. Most notably, the rulers of Mewar were ardent devitees of Eklingji - a form of Shiv - and ruled the kingdom by proxy as servants of Eklingji.
Shiv is one of the most interesting and important characters in the Hindu pantheon. Gullible but wise, grave but frivolous, ascetic yet a householder, hermit but intoxicated on drugs - his character offers so much to explore for both seekers of spirituality as well as seekers of aesthetics.
This picture, probably from Mewar or Jodhpur- seems to elevate Shiv to being the more important one among the Hindu trinity. He is seated in a casual posture on a tiger pelt, the Ganga flowing out of his matted hair. The multiheaded Brahma and Vishnu( in blue) stand around him with a look of admiration. Shiv's consort (Lakshmi/Uma/Parvati) is close to him, seated on a lotus. His vehicle - the nandi bull - is loitering close by.
Rajasthani miniatures have a characteristic look & feel and are easy to recognize by the trained eye. However, it is much more difficult, sometimes impossible to attribute them to the exact kingdom they originate from. The contiguous kingdoms of Jodhpur, Jaipur and Mewar had quite similar styles, and artists often moved from one of these kingdoms to the other, carrying their unique styles with themselves. The style, condition and theme of this painting strongly indicates this to be from Mewar or Jodhpur from the 18th Century.
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