album;
painting
- Museum number
- 1999,1202,0.2.13
- Title
- Object: Hindola Raga
- Description
-
Painting from an album bound in red silk designed fabric containing a complete set of Jaipur 19th century Ragamala paintings.
Hindola or festival of the swing is an ancient custom appropriated into the Kṛṣṇa cult. The personification of Hindola Raga therefore usually depicts Kṛṣṇa on a swing surrounded by lady musicians. In this painting Kṛṣṇa and Rādhā gaze at each other while seated on a swing surrounded by lady musicians. The blue skinned Kṛṣṇa seated in lalita asana is clad in a yellow dhoti, wears an ornate gold turban with a peacock feather, his right hand lovingly thrown over Rādhā's shoulders, his left pulling at a red rope that aids in swinging. Rādhā seated to the left of Kṛṣṇa holds a red rope in her right hand, her left behind her Lord. Lady attendants clothed in colourful costumes with a lavish use of gold on either side of the holy couple sing, play musical instruments, aid in the swinging and fan Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. The ornate gold frame of the swing has a marvellous peacock seated on the centre of the frame -- on either side are two peahens, symbols of the monsoon season and of love. The sky is filled with perfectly rounded blue clouds outlined in gold paint. The swing stands on a terrace bordered by green foliage on an aquamarine and gold patterned carpet. Two vases filled with flowers stand, symbolic of love in union, on a lilac and gold table in the centre foreground.
- Production date
- 19thC(early)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 32 centimetres (page)
-
Height: 24.70 centimetres (painting including all margins)
-
Width: 19.50 centimetres
-
Width: 24.10 centimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
-
- Curator's comments
- The series is a complete one of thirty six based on the 'standardized painters system' existing in Jaipur during the 19th century. Black ink floral sprays on first and last pages.
Jaipur 19th century Ragamala paintings characteristically depict text in enclosed decorative panels or cartouches on top of each painting. (Ebeling, K., 'Ragamala Painting', 1973. Pg.228, illustration 148.)
The rasa is purva raga, that of preliminary and introductory experiences before leading to love in union. The type of hero in Hindola Raga suggested in all texts is a clever lover, while Radha is a parakiya heroine, one who is experienced but not married to the hero.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Good
- Acquisition date
- 1999
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- 1999,1202,0.2.13
