Page 195 - Eye of the beholder

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of Radha and the the the ultimate union with the the the Brahman represented by Krishna While the the the Gopis represent the five senses which translates to to correspond to to her unhappiness and agitated physical discomforts in her her eagerness to become one with her her beloved She wears a a a a a a a a a subtle toned purple ghagra without an an upper garment and a a a a a a a a a red diaphones transparent printed odhini a a a a a a colour combination that symbolizes the juxtaposition of feminity in in in the the the the colour purple with the the the the tortuous physicality of the the the the body in in in the the the the angry red odhini It is a a a wonderful metaphoric yet poetic visual visual evocation which is is is is beautifully visualized by the artist Her agitated tresses fall charmingly on
on
her shoulders ending in in in in endearing curls The only jewels intact on
her body are the the necklace and the the nose ring Krishna seated next to to her and identified with his light blue skin tone has a a a a a perplexed look on
his his his face with a a a a a a a hand that is is is is is near his his his chin thinking to to himself as to to where his his his mistake was despite his presence and being with her He is is attired in in a a a a a golden yellow lower garment with a a a a a a a a a similar print as Radha’s odhini The flower garland rests comfortably around his neck enhanced by by by an an an an an elegant ruby ruby pendent from a a a a a a a a a a fine chain and and a a a a a a a a a a pearly and and ruby ruby choker around his his neck A huge baali with an emerald adorns his his ears Krishna rests against a a a a a a a a a a a large bolster and the the the cloth covering the the the shamiana under which both of them are depicted is maroon with gold tassels though it does not fully cover the the platform o o o o o o o which they are seated Compositionally the artist has brilliantly conveyed a a a a a a a a a a strange restlessness that manifests Radha as as she twists her body and head to one side Krishna’s representation is is is equally tense as as he he he he ponders over his mistake if at all he has made one The sense of space has been carved out by the artist which allows requisite representation of of of various aspects of of of the the palatial house house of of of Krishna and Radha as as as well as as as the the adjacent house house which has the the the representation of the the the two ladies Beyond the the the architectural space landscape is delineated in in in in in a a a a a a a charming and equally elegant manner There is evidence of modelling in in in in in light and shade gesturing towards the artist’s awareness of its engagement which would enhance the concept of of space Undeniably it is a a a a a a a a painting that expresses considerable character of of both emotions and sentiments Rather than than Rajasthan but more clearly from the the the Malwa region of Central India is the the the painting titled “Hanuman with Rama and Lakshmana Engaging Kumbhakarna in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a Battle” Belonging to the epic Ramayana in in in its subject content it it is dated 1800 A D The Malwa paintings generally showed predilection towards rigorously flat compositions black and chocolate-brown or or any other backgrounds figures delineated against a a a a a a a solid colour patch in in in in this instance of the the painting against light green background and architecture painted in in in in in lively colour The most appealing features are a a a a a a a a primitive charm and a a a a a a a a simple childlike vision According to the the the Ramayana Kumbhakarna was the the the terrifying rakshasa and the the the younger brother of Ravana who was causing great damage to the the monkey army when Rama and