The rich painterly traditions showcased in full glory

A new show that celebrates India's rich painterly traditions marks the inaugural rotation in the new Asian Paintings Gallery. The new thematic presentation, entitled ‘Gems of Rajput Painting’ that takes place courtesy MFA, Boston, showcases the magnificent art tradition in its full glory.

It's divided into four themes of particular interest to Rajput painters: romance, devotion, heroism, and courtly life. They looked to love poetry for romantic inspiration, especially texts that drew upon amorous relationships—heartfelt and even heartbreaking—between courtly men and women, such as Dipak raga, in which a couple’s passion prompts objects all around them to burst into flame.

Ragamala paintings illustrate the mood of particular modes of North Indian classical music (ragas), very often in the form of romantic scenarios. Another example of romantic love is seen in The hour of cowdust, where the god Krishna, as a youth, was a mischievous cowherd who stole the hearts (and sometimes the clothes) of local milkmaids.

Hindu gods also figure prominently in Rajput paintings as symbols of spiritual purity, or as sometimes meddlesome deities. A notable devotional work is Devagandhari Ragini, which shows two courtly ladies flanking a representation of the god Shiva in the form of a garlanded lingam (phallic symbol). Images of heroism and epic confrontations between good and evil were also favored by Rajput artists.

The exhibition showcases the dramatic Battle between Arjuna and Karna, the central confrontation of the Mahabharata. Similarly, The victory of Kali features the great goddess Devi, who created a frightening creature named Kali to defeat demonic foes. The final theme, courtly life, is expressed in images that reinforce the ideals of kingship, convey political messages, and show whimsical scenes of royal leisure.

Included among them is Krishna celebrates Holi with Radha and the gopis, attributed to Nihal Chand), which depicts Krishna and Radha celebrating the festival of Holi on the terrace of a palace, as though they were royals from the Kishangarh court.