Page 211 - Eye of the beholder

This miniature painting in in in in the the collection of the the Sadhus’ is is beautifully enclosed by different textile borders ranging from traditional paisley motifs with the lehariya or or creeper pattern running between each paisley motif and separating it in in in the outer most border followed by a a a a a a simple narrow geometric border comprising of dots to an inner one that has floral motifs The composition of of the miniature is is simple comprising of of three figures figures The two seated figures figures on on on on a a a a a a a a rug in in in an open courtyard or terrace are the main protagonists lost deep in in in conversation having forgotten the the the the hookah that lies placidly on on the the the the pillow placed on on the the the the lap of the the the the prince Another pillow is carelessly thrown at at an an angle at at the the the the corner of the the the the carpet where they are are seated In front of them stands an an an an attendant woman holding a a a a a a a a a tray containing perfumed bottles The background constitutes of a a a a a river and and hilly landscape bordered with bushy trees situated just outside the the the open terrace where the the the intimate act is played out out While the the the foliage of the the the trees is highly detailed the the the hills are are barren and and the the the river apparently lifeless and and without eddying waves The terrace has a a a a a a a a surrounding parapet made of marble grill with delicate geometric motifs forming its design From the the the attire of the the the young couple they do not belong to royalty and were perhaps of noble origin The jewellery is limited to pearl strands around both their necks and and the the the the printed muslin transparent jama of of the the the the youth and the the the the odhini of of the the the the damsel carry similar prints While the the the youth wears a a a a a a a blue pajama the the the ghagra of the the the girl is in in brown The colours too are staid and and earthy The carpet on on which they sit is in in the the combination of yellow and and deep green while the the the heavy bolster behind the the the youth is in in in in a a a a striped pattern in in in in the the the combination of brown and and green While the bolster on which she rests is in black and and has a a a a a a simple floral pattern The attendant is similarly attired with brown ghagra rust orange odhini and a a a a a a a a a a striped brown choli The terrace opens into a a a a a a a garden at at one side as as indicated by the the grass in in in the the foreground through a a a a a a a a flight of two steps On the the the other side at the the the right is a a a a a a a a marble pavilion with a a a a a a a a pillar a a a a a a a a slightly projecting eave or or chajja and a a a a a a a a a a parapet wall on on top The pillar in in in its decoration is divided into three horizontal sections The lower most at the bottom is rectangular with a a a a a a running band of floral floral motif and a a a a a a a floral floral plant in in in the middle comprising of delicate inlay work The two sections above are decorated with with elegantly designed niches with with multi foliated arches and containing motifs of floral plants The decorative and ornamental merlons comprising the parapet also have red flower plant motif in in the centre of of each The interior of of this marble pavilion has an an intricately designed carpet woven in in in a a a a a a a a a floral pattern of green and orange It also contains a a a a a a a wooden cabinet that holds decorative ceramic show pieces in in different sizes shapes and textures The pavilion is screened by a a a a a a a a thick red curtain that has elegant floral pattern printed on on it it and held in in position by a a rope tied in in the middle Though the the painting manifests simplicity at at all levels from the the protagonists to to sartorial attire jewellery and and the the setting it nevertheless exudes a a a a a a sense of majesty and and elegance that one would associate with with the culture of Awadh The youth is handsome with with moderately long eyes an an an aquiline node and and a a a a a a a firm confident chin while the girl is equally sweet and and charming with similar eyes nose and chin chin She has long flowing luxuriant hair reaching down to her waist while the the youth’s jet black hair peeps from beneath the the red turban that he he he sports A sense of scale manifests the painting imparting to it a a a a a a a a a a realistic character This realism is is is is also evident in in in in the the the coloured shades of the the the sky and the the the water 205