Page 200 - Eye of the beholder

Central India was another important centre where miniature tradition found patronage among its many rulers The Central Indian School of of art art defines the art art styles of of Malwa Bundelkhand and Raghogarh Malwa pioneered the art of miniature painting in in in in Central India The depiction of of the initial style of of miniature painting was excellence in in in in in execution draughtsmanship colour-scheme and its its style of representation Although its its political borders have fluctuated throughout history the the region developed its own distinct culture influenced by the the Rajasthani Marathi and Gujarati milieu In the the the painting “Devi Killing the the the Ashuras” placed against a a a a a a a a a maroon red background the the the action is set for an an an energetic and a a a a a a a a a a a diabolic war Devi rides on her vahana which appears to be a a a a a a a a a a a hybrid animal form with snout of of of a a a a a a a a a a boar and the body of of of a a a a a a a a a a lion She sits on on a a a a a a a a a a bed of of of neatly arranged lotus petals attired in in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a charming glowing orange choli and ghagra that has a a a a a a a a a a a striking striped print Her long lotus shaped eyes are focused on on on on on the action taking place in in front The judicious selection of the jewellery that adorns her her body is is worth a a a a a a scrutiny On her her head is is a a a a a a decoratively designed gold crown with with three lotus buds and and adorned with with pearls and and a a a a a a a a a partial halo surrounds her face She is is four armed and and and has a a a a a a a a a gada in in her left hand and and and the right behind holds a a a a a a a a a sword which she is is engaged with actively while the hand hand in front holds holds a a a a a a a a a long deadly spear The back left hand hand holds holds a a a a a a a a a weapon that appears like a a a a a a a a ring The ornaments around her neck have interesting designs A gold choker embedded with pearls in in the the centre attracts the the eye as it it intimately hugs her neck Next is a a a a a a a a a a a a a pearl pearl stand with with a a a a a a a a a a a a a pendant pendant including a a a a a a a a a a a a a longer one with with a a a a a a a a a a a a a tear shaped pearl pearl pendant pendant that hangs from the the bottom It is the the larger necklace of gold chain and with numerous pendants strung in- between with a a a a a a a rectangular larger one in in in the centre is attractive and interesting These types of long ‘haar’ or or garland continues to be a a a a a a a a a a a a a a traditional design and and worn by ladies in in Rajasthan particularly Her Her earrings are also embedded with pearl and have jhumka hanging from it it Her Her feet has the henna or or mehendi and and adorned with graceful and and elegant ankles that contours it it stylishly The long luxuriant open hair gently flows down her her back from underneath her her crown with a a a a a a few strands gently caressing her cheeks She is aided in in her fight with an an an attendant in in the upper left hand corner who wears a a a a a a a a a a yajnopavita and is bare bodied except for an an an orange loin cloth that sweeps down in in in front touching the ground and and a a a a a a a skin fitting garment that comes up to his knees His right hand holds a a a a a a a dagger the position suggests that he he he has already beheaded the ashura in in front of him His long hair is is caught in in a a a a a a a a a a knot at the the back resting on the the nape of of his his neck The jewellery adorning his his body is is is also of of pearls including the the the ear rings with a a a a precious stone perhaps emerald in in in in the the the centre of the the the round design The artist’s imagination has has taken flight in in in the the delineation of the the ashuras and has has depicted them in different different colours and with different different evil countenances that are are as as ferocious as as they are are demonic The goddess has driven her sword through the stomach of an already decapitated demon demon while her her gada in in the the left hand has knocked down another demon demon rendered in in jet black having the the snout of of a a a a a a a a a a a boar and and ears of of another animal The spear in in her her front right hand is driven through a a a a a a a yellow hued ashura ashura All the ashuras are hybrid or or composite forms that metaphorically represent the the evil power and energetic force that they are invested with The effects of evil are portrayed through the the horns on their heads large canine teeth projecting out out from the the sides of the the mouth and a a a a a a a a a tongue that hangs in a a a a a a a a a malicious way Only one ashura in in white with with pink dots wears a a a a a a a a a a yajnopavita They are all adorned with with heavy pearl jewellery that is also found around their ankles The colours of the ashuras are different symbolizing evil in in in in black jealousy and vindictiveness in in in in yellow white white with with pink pink spots malice pink pink with with red red dots anger and blue hatred While the white white boar-lion vahana of the Devi epitomizes her purity and power as she overcomes different shades of evil surrounding her 194