A Busy Household

Nidhi Mal, the artist behind this artwork, was active in the 18th century and was known for portrayals of courtly scenes and everyday life of the people. In the early years of his career, he worked at the court of Emperor Muhammad Shah and later moved to Lucknow where he worked under Nawab Safdar Jung and Nawab Shuja-al-Daulah. His artworks contain important records of the daily life of the people, thereby providing a perspective into the social and cultural life of the 18th century. This artwork was made in Awadh and is rendered in opaque watercolour and gold. It depicts a lively scene with detailed depiction of figures. In a large domestic space, an elderly couple can be seen sitting on a platform; the man is shown smoking hookah while the woman extends a paan quid towards him. Two women behind them seem to be in the midst of preparing a meal in a kitchen. On the left, a young man is seen smoking hookah, while the woman on the floor above him is shown making paan in a kitchen like space. On the right side of the composition, a middle-aged man is seen carrying two kids on his shoulders, while also instructing another kid who seems to be on the verge of causing trouble. In the upper verandah, a bearded man is shown in conversation with a child. Overall, this artwork is a look into the life of people living in 18th century Awadh. The family seems to be affluent, evident by the large house. The house occupies majority of the space within the composition, while the sole tree on the right and the blue hues of the sky provide a familiar landscape. While most artworks focused on depictions of rulers, Nidhi Mal’s artwork stands out in its portrayal of the common people. The vibrant hues employed in the rendering of the architectural features and the garments of the women provide a sort of a whimsical effect to the artwork. Careful attention has also been paid to the individual expressions and movement of all the figures. The utensils and instruments are also depicted in great detail. The artwork serves as a visual record of the lifestyle of people. Unlike emperors who leave behind great literary and visual evidence of their rule, the common people and their lives often remain shadowed. Thus, this artwork occupies an important space within the landscape of the eighteenth-century India, providing an intimate and wholesome depiction the people living within a joint family setup.