The Rasa: Cosmic Dance of Krishna

$155
Item Code: DK67
Specifications:
Madhubani Painting on Hand Made PaperFolk Painting from the Village of Madhubani (Bihar)
Dimensions 20.0 inches X 28.0 inches
Handmade
Handmade
Free delivery
Free delivery
Fully insured
Fully insured
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
Fair trade
Fair trade
This masterpiece in characteristic Madhubani style, rendered using just three colours : red, black and yellow, in their basic unmixed tones, and without shading, by the known Madhubani artist Nupur Jha, represents Maharasa – Lord Krishna’s cosmic dance, his divine ‘lila’ – sport, in which the entire cosmos participates, in its true spirit and form. The artist has carved out of the rectangle, which the form of the canvas afforded, a circular space suggestive of cosmos divided into three tiers, an inner-most circle – the centre, which Radha and Krishna enshrine, a middle circle, divided into eight parts, in each of which a group of two Gopis is engaged in dance, and the outer ring, conceived like a frame, an undivided circular space with a peacock form incessantly ringing around.

The inner-most circle is symbolic of the axis of the cosmos, all known and unknown spaces. According to Tantrika vision, the deity, and according to metaphysical thought, the Supreme imperishable Self, enshrines this axis. While in Tantrism, and in Shaiva and Shakta thought, Shiva and Shakti are perceived as deity enshrining this axis, in Vaishnava tradition, it is enshrined by Radha and Krishna, the Supreme Self and its arch seeker. The middle circle, symbolic of this world, has eight divisions denotative of ‘ashta-yams’ – eight ‘praharas’ or eight parts of the day, by which the time spans this world, and by which Krishna spans the time. The Gopis, the selves endeavouring at uniting with Krishna, with his realisation in them, pervade all eight divisions of the ring and are thus beyond time. The peacock, a being of the earth as also of the space beyond, symbolic of the continuous flow of life, inhabits the outer-most circle.

Visually, Krishna and Radha are seated in the inner-most circle while eight groups of two each of the Gopis are dancing in a ring in the middle circle. In Vaishnava tradition, which perceives love and devotion as the prime means of His –Krishna’s realisation, this form of dance has great significance. Love and devotion get best expressed in ecstasy and ecstasy best reveals in dance. Hence dance is the subtlest instruments of Lord's realisation. As regards Krishna’s dance, it is the manifestation of his 'Brahmandiya lila', cosmic act, and those dancing with him, around him, or for him, are as much the part of this ‘lila’ as is Radha or even Krishna for that matter.

Alike pregnant with meaning is the legend in regard to Rasa or Maharasa. As the Bhagavata Purana has it, one bright moon-lit night Krishna, in absolute ecstasy, played on his flute his divine music. From Yamuna's silvery shores the music reached the lanes of Vrindavana and to the ears of Gopis. Captivated by it whichever Gopi heard it, she headed towards Yamuna. Their husbands obstructed them but they did not heed them. They abandoned their house-hold and reached Yamuna. Here they joined Krishna and danced around him. Each one wished that Krishna danced only with her and loved her only. Krishna assumed as many forms as were the Gopis and danced with each one singly as also in the group with others. In as many forms as were Gopis he descended into Yamuna and made love with each singly. In this act of Krishna is said to manifest his ever first Maharasa.

This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr. Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of literature and is the author of numerous books on Indian art and culture. Dr. Daljeet is the curator of the Miniature Painting Gallery, National Museum, New Delhi. They have both collaborated together on a number of books.


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Colors of Tradition: Exploring the Artistry Behind Madhubani Paintings

Madhubani painting is also known as Mithila art as it is practiced in the Mithila region of India and Nepal. It has specifically originated from the Madhubani district of the state of Bihar. Traditionally, the women of this region created these paintings and in recent years, it has become a widely practiced art and has now become renowned throughout the world. This art expresses the creativity and culture of the people of Mithila and is passed from one generation to another. In this way, the heritage of Madhubani art has been preserved for many decades. The subjects of these paintings are usually religion, love, and fertility. Sometimes, social events like festivals, weddings, and royal court are also depicted in the paintings. The most commonly painted designs and themes are the forms of Hindu Gods and Goddesses such as Ganesha, Shiva, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Krishna, and Ram. The characteristic features of Madhubani paintings are their vibrant colors and eye-catching geometrical patterns. The empty spaces are filled with traditional motifs such as floral and foliate patterns, animals, birds, geometrical structures, and other designs. The local artists create these paintings using a variety of items such as matchsticks, twigs, brushes, pens, or even their own fingers. The paints are usually made with natural dyes and pigments.
As simple as it may seem, the making process of the world-famous Madhubani paintings is certainly not easy and requires lots of hard labor.
Traditional Madhubani paintings are done either on cloth, handmade paper, or canvas. Select the medium of painting as per your choice. If you have chosen cloth, attach it to cardboard to make a solid base. The making of the painting begins with making a double-lined border. This is a very important step because the border is filled with various geographical shapes and patterns or other motifs. The average width of the border is 1.5 - 2 cm. Now that the border is created, you will be left with a blank middle space. This is the main workspace. Start drawing your choice of figure, designs, and shapes. These must be relevant to the Madhubani painting themes.
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When the key design has been made, the empty spaces in between are filled with some designs.
Now is the time to color the painting using vivid shades and hues. Colors in Madhubani are sourced from nature; Indigo is used to produce blue, flower juice produces red, turmeric gives yellow, leaves produce green, cow dung mixed soot gives black, and rice powder gives white.
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To paint these colors, the artist uses a bamboo stick and wraps cotton around it. This acts as a traditional brush.
The entire painting is now painted using this special brush with natural vibrant colors. · However, in modern times, the common brush is used and instead of natural colors, artists prefer to use acrylic paints.
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Since the entire painting is made with natural materials and colors, it appears simple yet enriching. Originally, this art was created on mud walls or soil grounds but when it evolved over many years, the people of Madhubani started to make it on fabric and paper. Today, this art has become globalized and is receiving worldwide attention and appreciation.
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