The month of Sarwan: the rains (August), c. 1570, (Central Museum, Lahore)
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Ashton, Leigh
Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham
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One of a series of illustrations to poems on the Seasons of the Year called Baramasa. Baramasa are 'songs describing the pleasures of lovers and the pangs of separation according to the moods of the well-marked changes of the Indian seasons, month by month'. They are essentially popular and had been written in the vernacular as early as the 11th century. Rain can be seen falling from black clouds. Amongst earliest Rajasthani paintings known. Gestures and dance rhythm throughout. The composition is still 'primitive' in that distance objects are placed above those in foreground. In the lower room is heroine, in the upper is a figure which occurs in most of the figures, probably intended for the poet of the verses illustrates. The complete profile of the figures and solid background are reminiscent of the mediaeval miniatures of Gujarat, but the characteristic facial type, the dress patterns and transparent saris are not found in Gujarati painting. Poet's dress similar to that of the author Bilhana in the chaura-panchasika miniatures. This is probably early example of employment of codex shape in Western Indian painting. Shows no trace of Mughal influence. (Basil Gray, Rajput Painting, London, Faber & Faber, 1948, p. 8) -- 25.2 x 14.8 cm .
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Archives Series
Date created
1950
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This item is provided for research purposes. Contact the Australian National University Archives at butlin.archives@anu.edu.au for permission to use.
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