Celebrations!

Painting with the motif of dance in Indian art has to be comprehended at many levels as dance is not merely representational of human movement. At its highest level, dance is a discipline, and spiritual experience.

This miniature exudes the joys of celebration. Not following any particular dance form, the women show natural grace in their movements. Fine, silk ghagra-cholis and jewellery enhance their beauty. The rich colours, especially mauve and orange, coupled with an extraordinary lightness of design produce an ethereal magnificence shown in profile, their sharp features gain prominence, their delicate limbs complement the dance movement.

Their male companions playing the musical instruments are attired in various components of clothing – angarakha, pyjamas, turbans, sash and shoulder cloth. One of them is playing a multi–stringed instrument and the other contributes to the rhythm with his drum. The artist uses subdued colours for their garments.

The architecture plays an important role in the painting. Various door ways and niches give depth and the golden inlay adds to the aesthetic value of the painting.

This description by Renu Rana.