One Conscious of Her Youth

This piece, which is part of the Rasamanjari series and entitled "One Conscious of Her Youth", is attributed to Golu of Nurpur, an artist active in the eighteenth century, and it illustrates the elegance typical of Pahari miniature painting as well as the intellectual sophistication of Indian courtly aesthetics. It was made about 1715 and consists of watercolour and gold on paper, combining technical ability with symbolic significance. The Rasamanjari, a Sanskrit work from the fifteenth century by Bhanudatta, gives an account of various kinds of lovers and heroines, each exhibiting a different emotion or feeling. In this particular folio the heroine is depicted together with a friend within a stylised pavilion; she is wearing a veil and bright clothing, stands with a straight and confident posture. The friend, who is dressed in green, is leaning in to speak. Behind them there are shelves filled with containers indicating wealth and comfort. The flat green background together with the bold red border gives the scene a clear and strong appearance. The way the heroine stands and her expression illustrate the Yauvanagarvita Nayika — that is, the woman who is proud of her youth and beauty. The painting exhibits the elegance characteristic of the Nurpur school; Golu, who was the grandson of Kripal and son of Devidasa, had acquired the colours of the Basohli tradition but used them in a more careful manner. His features are the simple buildings, the flat areas and the clear lines. The people depicted in the picture are based on Raja Daya Dhata of Nurpur, the man who helped this art to develop. Unlike the themes of sadness or separation, this folio is concerned with confidence and a sense of self, thus giving the Rasamanjari story a new aspect. The folio is not only attractive to look at but also serves as a record of cultural achievement. It illustrates the way artists from Nurpur in the century transformed Sanskrit poetry into pictures which helped courtly people to understand the themes of love, pride and beauty; in the work 'One Conscious of Her Youth' Golu from Nurpur depicts not only the young confidence of the heroines but also the enduring style of Pahari miniature painting. It is now part of the VMFAs South Asian collection.