Plato Charming the Wild Animals with Music is a Mughal miniature painting that was done by Madhu Khnazd (Madhu the Younger) and it is a section of the famous Khamsa of Nizami that was made at the imperial studio of Emperor Akbar, circa 1595-1596. The work, in opaque watercolor, ink, and gold on paper, reflects the high skill level and detail of the late sixteenth century. It was executed in a highly polished manner, as was typical for Mughal manuscript painting of the late sixteenth century.
This artwork illustrates an incident from the Is Kandarnama (Book of Alexander) written by Nizami Ganjavi in which Plato (Aflatun) the wise philosopher is said to have had music that calmed the wild. Sitting amongst the rocky landscape, Plato plays an instrument and wild animals (which appear to be lions, deer, birds, etc.) gather calmly around him. The docile natures of the animals symbolize the wise, learned, and artistic individual who can civilize nature itself.
This painting demonstrates the multicultural environment present in Akbar's empire. Although the Persian literature provided the story and the basis for the painting, it was done in Mughal India, a land filled with an abundance of native knowledge, artistic techniques and foreign inspirations. It is believed that possible European influences are evident in the style in which Plato's instrument is painted due to the European artists, such as the Jesuit missionaries, who made visits to India during the rule of Emperor Akbar.
Through the use of symbolism, this piece shows that all of nature can live in harmony. Music here is symbolic of knowledge in its highest form that can stop violence. In this painting we can see predator and prey coexist with no signs of fear or harm and this seems to represent the ultimate level of peace where reason has overcome all violence and confusion. This painting shows the unity of Greek knowledge, Persian traditions and Indian art during Akbar's domain and the multicultural and universal view that he possessed.
Attributed to Madhu Khanazad, this painting is a brilliant synthesis of Greek philosophy, Persian poetry, and Mughal court artistry from 1595–96. Illustrating an episode from Nizami’s 'Khamsa’, it audaciously visualizes the Greek philosopher Plato playing a European-style pipe organ so divine that it hypnotizes the wilderness and entirely subverts natural laws. Predators and prey, including a massive lion, a spotted cheetah, a rhinoceros, and delicate deer, collapse together in a shared, ecstatic swoon, completely pacified by the melody. Looking closely at the organ reveals its inner panels which are intricately decorated with tiny, European-inspired Renaissance figures, a direct nod to the Western prints flooding Akbar’s royal court. Combined with a winding, rocky stream and elegant Persian calligraphy above, "Plato charming the wild animals with music" represents the power of art and cross-cultural harmony.
