Beauty In Movement

Music and dance express jubilation. The history of Indian Music, like that of religion, is also lost in the mist of tradition. But early Indian secular writings identify dance as one of the refined arts of the courtesan.

Celebrating a royal event are dancers and musicians in high spirits. The two dancers with flowing odhinis and ghagras give vent to their excitement, which is reflected in the graceful movements of their bodies. The smooth curves of their physical form are highlighted by the flexes of their limbs and heads. Head ornaments and long strings of pearls follow the movements, adding to the grace. The musicians, as beautiful in dress and ornament, seem deft in their art as they hold their instruments. Drums and stringed instruments play the music to which the dancers move. Musicians playing instruments add sound to the visual content of illustrations. The harmony between the sound of music and the movement of dance is apparent in this celebratory event, the viewers to which are beyond the miniature canvas, leaving us to appreciate it.

This description by Kiranjyot.