Heavenly Joys Come to Earth

This artwork titled ‘Heavenly Joys Come to Earth’ is an illustrated folio from the Divan of Anvari, commissioned by the Mughal emperor Akbar. It was sort of a ‘pocketbook’ containing fifteen miniature illustrations and thirteen pages of calligraphed poetry and was completed in Lahore in 1588. The manuscript also contains poems by one of the greatest 12th-century Persian poets, Auhaduddin Anvari. These ‘pocketbooks’ allowed for easier handling and to enjoy the fineness of the illustrations. Themes of praise, satire, worldly and spiritual experiences are covered in this book. Several artists contributed to the illustrations for this manuscript. This artwork is attributed to Khem Karan, one of the artists associated with Akbar's imperial atelier. It measures 14 x 8 cm. The painting depicts a celebratory scene in a courtly setting. Several women are depicted playing the tambourine, flute, veena and dancing in front of the emperor who is seen sitting on a golden throne, flanked by a woman using a flywhisk. He can be seen gazing intensely into the eyes of one of the women. Each of the women are draped in ornate and mesmerising flowy outfits. The use of vibrant colours and intricate detailing reflect the refined craftsmanship of Mughal miniature painting and also bring the artwork to life. Hues of reds, yellows, blues and greens dominate the composition. The title itself – ‘Heavenly Joys Come to Earth’, evokes an atmosphere of spiritual fulfilment, celebration and divine grace. The composition also reflects the interest of the Mughals in translating poems and literary compositions into visual narratives