Krishna, Radha and Companion

Somalal Shah was a renowned Gujarati artist and instructor. While he learnt the techniques of the Bengal School of art, he adapted its aesthetic to the landscape of Gujarat in his artworks. His works were also influenced by European academic art. An alumnus of the Sir J. J. School of Art, Bombay, and the Indian Society of Oriental Art in Calcutta, he was influenced by the artistic approaches of Abanindranath Tagore and Kshitindranath Majumdar. Most of his later artworks incorporated the wash technique, and were representations of rural life, Indian cultural and religious themes. This beautiful artwork titled ‘Krishna, Radha and Companion’ dates to the 1950s, and is one of Shah's later works. The depiction of Krishna and Radha connects this artwork to the long Indian tradition of representing the divine couple, themes of love, devotion and Krishna's pastoral world. Here, Krishna and Radha are portrayed in a human like form with realistic features and serene expressions. Shah has used softly modulated forms and a controlled palette which is characteristic of his restrained approach. Instead of using strong impasto or heavy brushwork, the figures seem to be made from layered washes and gentle brush strokes. Soft, muted hues of red, yellow, purple, green and brown dominate the artwork which were applied in several coatings. The work is an example of the synthesis of techniques of the Bengal School with Indian subject themes. Usage of gouache as the main medium has allowed for a greater opacity while also retaining the delicacy associated with the wash-based technique. Krishna and Radha are understood as both mythological figures and as embodiments of devotional and romantic love. In this artwork, Shah's has strayed from theatricality, and has instead portrayed an intimate and contemplative representation of the couple. The cow in this painting helps situate the divine pair within the social and pastoral world that is generally associated with Krishna. Thus, the painting is reflective of Shah's broader interest in translating Indian cultural and religious themes into modern imagery.