Page 168 - Eye of the beholder

Symmetrically composed with the the the couple seated in in the the the centre and immediately behind them in in the the the the distance is is is the the the the white wall of of the the the the palace enclosure the the the the reentrant projection of of which is is is in in line with with the the the the figures in in in in the the the the foreground with with a a a a a swan in in in in the the the the centre providing a a a a a path of the the the the visual link with the the background This perfect symmetry of of the the compositional layout is is symbolic of of the the the stable energies of of love manifesd in in the the the youthful couple providing them with an an aura of of contemplative serenity lost to the world In a a a a a a a a a horizontally formatted composition the the bands of colours as they appear are equally interesting The broad white in in in in the the the foreground to lush green in in in in the the the middle ground ground the the the bluish grey of of the the waters enclosed by a a a a a a a a a a narrow band of of the the palace enclosure wall and and an an an equally narrow band of green thick forest beyond the palace The cool colours have been given a a a a a a warm touch with the the the the the red red of of the the the the the parapet of of the the the the the open terrace and and the the the the the red red bands in the the the the the kiosks placed at at the the the reentrant angles of of the the the walls The orange rim of of the the the halo provides a a a a a a a a a a dramatic contrast to the the fresh green of the the plantations “Lady at at her Toilet” is a a a a a a a a beautiful work from the the Bundi Kalam or or style It has the the representation of the the nayika seated on on a a a a a a a a a beautifully decorated stool which has decoration that is either painted or or or inlay work She has just finished her her bath and is is admiring her her freshness in in fin in in the mirror upheld by her her attendant seated seated behind her her on on on on the floor The one in in front and also seated seated on on on on the the floor is wiping her her her feet The other two attendants behind her her her are holding trays that contain various perfumes with which she will make her body fragrant At the the side of the the nayika are represented a a a a a a a a a a bowl a a a a a a a a a a flask and and a a a a a a a a a a narrow tall cup with a a a a a a a a a a base stand The composition is set within an an open open courtyard as doors can be seen opening to the the interior f the the palatial house The floor of this open courtyard has an intricate designed geometric marble inlay work with a a a a a fountain in in in the the foreground in in in which the the ducks are represented The two sides adjacent to the fountain are filled with lotus flowers and leaves The palatial house is constructed out of marble marble with with decorative niches designed with with a a a a a a pointed arch Coloured inlay work in in in marble marble is seen in in elaborate brackets above the the capitals of the the pillar A densely printed cloth eave or or chajja provides shade and is held up by a a a a a a a a a a a a bamboo stick placed at an an an angle on the adjacent wall wall The space between the two pavilions is is closed by a a a a a a a a a brick wall wall that is is painted in in an unusual colour of purple The doorway on the right has an an orange screen that is lifted up The nayika in in in in the the centre of the the composition is is delineated in in in in pristine white with her upper body bereft of any clothing and and she she holds up her her her wet hair in in in her her her two hands as she she admires herself in in in the the mirror The rest of the the attendants are represented wearing ghagra choli and diaphanous odhini The colour combination of their sartorial attire requires close attention While the the one one seated on on on the the the floor and and holding the the the mirror wears a a a a a a a dull purple ghagra the the the one one standing behind her has striking contras of black and orange combination The two attendants carrying the the perfumeries in in tray have the the combination of blue and and orange with yellow choli and and green and orange with brown choli Interestingly the the colours in in in in in this painting are are as as fresh as as they are are poetic and charming The colours of the the seasons in fin in Bundi as as witnessed by the the artist finds its reflection here For certain colours as purples and greys are the normal conventions of Bundi palette but strikingly engaged with in in a a a a a judicious manner Perhaps the the work belonging to the the early 19th century may reflect this enhanced palette with strong influence of Mughal manifesting 162