ManuscriptsIndian18th century

Chitrini Nayika, page from a Rasikapriya (Handbook for Poetry Connoisseurs)

18th century

Description

Seated on a yellow floral carpet and against a large, cylindrical gold pillow decorated with purple irises is a female figure. She is known as a chitrini nayika, or a heroine gifted in the arts of music, poetry, singing, and/or dancing. Here, the heroine is shown playing a tumbi, a type of string instrument. She wears a long, sea foam green dress with gold decoration, a translucent green shawl that is draped around her body, earrings, bracelets, and a necklace. Behind her is a female attendant with a pink dress and gold decoration, a pink translucent shawl, and adorned with jewelry. In her right hand, she carries a white scarf, a symbol of the nayika’s royal status. In front of the nayika are three other female attendants. One in a pink dress kneels and pours liquid into a small cup. One in a white dress carries a gold box encrusted with jewels in her left hand. The third attendant, dressed in yellow, carries a tray of roses. The figures are gathered on a white terrace that overlooks a large pond with ducks that weave through large lotus pads, blossoms, and buds. In the background is a vast and rolling landscape with a white structure on the left. Below the terrace are four white niches filled with plants with pink and purple blossoms. Pahari School, Kangra Style.

Classification

Manuscripts

Medium

Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; Pahari School, Kangra Style

Culture

Indian

Century

18th century

Division

Asian and Mediterranean Art

Department

Department of Islamic & Later Indian Art