Radha sits beside Krishna in an upper balcony

This miniature painting is attributed to artist Laharu of Chamba and is dated to 1755 AD. It is from the Pahari school of art. In such artworks, the intimate bond between Krishna and Radha serves as a metaphor for the desire of soul to unite with the Divine. Here Krishna is shown wearing a pitambara (yellow lower garment), with a dark greyish-blue skin, a jewel-encrusted crown (mukut) adorned with a peacock feather and lotuses, and a long garland. Radha is depicted sitting beside him dressed in a traditional patterned red ghagra (skirt), pink odhani (veil) draped over her head adorned with gold jewellery. Krishna extends his left arm over the cushion and holds a pink lotus bud in his right hand. Radha is faced directly towards him while both gaze at each other. They are shown on a terrace, sitting on a patterned rug. Above them hangs a draped curtain which is supported by white carved pillars. On the right, a multi-storied pink brick architectural structure with a latticed window (jali) and an arched decoration is shown. In the background, a dense forest with dark green trees and a few subtle golden blossoms can be noticed. The painting is highly geometrical and is almost split into several units. Laharu has used bright colours such as the vibrant yellow of Krishna’s attire and the deep red of Radha’s skirt which stand out against the dull pink architecture and the off-white backdrop. The bright colours seen in this painting are a typical feature of Pahari paintings. Overall, this painting depicts a moment of intimate conversation or reunion following a period of separation or misunderstanding. Krishna’s gesture of offering or holding a lotus flower signifies purity and devotion and Radha’s gaze is reflective of her deep affection.