INDIAN SCHOOL MUSCAT DEPARTMENT OF FINE ARTS CLASS XII – PAINTING & SCULPTURE

Worksheet No. 5 (A) History of Unit – I – B (ii) Study of Pahari Painting

Krishna with Gopis Artist: Manaku Sub-school: Basohli Medium: Water colour Technique: Tempera

Description: The Pahari painting ‘Krishna with Gopis’ belongs to Basohli school of Art. It was painted during 1730 A.D. by the artist Manaku. It was painted in watercolour on paper with Tempera method. Krishna-Lila themes have been depicted through this relevant painting in Pahari School of miniature paintings in our course of study.

The theme of this painting have been selected from the ‘’ series. The painting presents Krishna surrounded by gopis singing and dancing on the bank of river Yamuna. The composition is in typical Basohli style with geometrical pattern. The use of bold colour infused vitality in the painting. Krishna is wearing a bright yellow dress with his upper body naked but ornamented. He is also wearing a crown with jewels and peacock plumes. Five gopis have been shown around Krishna who is in the centre of the painting. They are adoring Krishna who is wearing a graceful loin cloth and is embracing two of the gopis. One

ISM/SENIOR SECTION/CLASS 12 FINE ARTS-PAINTING AND SCULPTURE/WS 5 gopi is on the right side of the painting with folded hands (seems to be ) with an attendant holding a round fan over Radha’s head. Two gopis on the left side are talking to each other (one at the left end is holding chauri).

All faces have large lotus-shaped eyes and the same line starting from forehead to nose have been shown beautifully. Hands and feet of gopis have been decorated in red colour. The composition has bright and bold lustrous colours. The small portion of Yamuna river in the foreground has been shown. The background has been depicted in orange colour. We can find some trees with deferent shapes of leaves but they are having the same level of height. One each side a big tree is there in the background. Orange, yellow, sky blue and red colours have been used. Krishna’s crown is very attractive and ornaments of gopis are very decorative.

ISM/SENIOR SECTION/CLASS 12 FINE ARTS-PAINTING AND SCULPTURE/WS 5

INDIAN SCHOOL MUSCAT DEPARTMENT OF FINE ARTS CLASS XII – PAINTING & SCULPTURE

Worksheet No. 5 (B) History of Indian Art Unit – I – B (ii) Study of Pahari Painting

Nand Yashoda and Krishna with Kinsmen going to Virindavana

Artist: Sub-school: Kangra Medium: Water colour Technique: Tempera

Description: The miniature painting ‘Nand Yashoda and Krishna with Kinsmen going to Virindavana’ painted by artist Nainsukh during 1785-90 A.D. It was painted in watercolour on paper with Tempera method the subject matter is very appealing It has been taken from Bhagvat Purana.

Krishna’s father Nand his mother Yashoda along with kinsmen are going to Vrindavana. The painting’s subject matter is justified on the basis of the aesthetic parameters as the way Krishna has been shown in the centre raising the right hand upward towards Vrindavana is very appealing. Based on the episode of Bhagvat Puran and painted in Kangra style. In this

ISM/SENIOR SECTION/CLASS 12 FINE ARTS-PAINTING AND SCULPTURE/WS 5 painting have been shown thirteen human figures. Three of them have been shown swimming in the Yamuna. Rest of the figures have been shown in various countenances and wearing clothes of vivid colours, on the other side of the river. Krishna has been shown in blue colour, half-naked but wearing different ornaments made of gold. There is a golden crown on his head. All the persons are half-naked except Nand and Yashoda. One other crowned person, who has put on a blue-coloured costume, is possibly Balram, raising one of his hands up is signalling towards Vrindavana.

All the human figures have worn stripped clothes down the loins and their heads have also been covered with multi-coloured cloth. On the left bank of the river, there is a bird sitting on a cut stem of a heavy tree. On other stem has also been shown a sitting bird. In the right side of the painting is a tree on which have been shown coiled around creepers. In the background, there is sky surrounded with clouds, and through them are peeping out the golden buildings of Vrindavana. The ground of the other side of the river has been shown filled with greenery.

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