Shiva, Ever Solicitous of His Other Half
| Support Type: | Paper |
| Paint Type: | Gouache |
| Current Location: | Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C. |
| Location History: | The painting titled Shiva, Ever Solicitous of His Other Half comes from the local royal collections of the Pahari hill states in northern India. It was passed down from generation to generation by families such as Mian Katar Singh of Nurpur and the Raja of Lambragaon. The painting was sent to the Sona Gallery in New York in 1967 and then remained in the United States for several decades. It was in Beverly Hills, California, as a part of the private collection of scholars Ralph and Catherine Glynn Benkaim. The painting was digitized on Wikimedia Commons, and the original piece was permanently acquired by the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D. C. in 2023. |
This miniature painting belongs to the famous Rasamanjari series; this painting portrays the poetic idea of an Anakula Nayaka, a hero who is incredibly faithful to his beloved. The basohli school’s unique fiery red background sets a perfect tone for this tale of a divine couple. Two panels are used to tell the story of this divine couple with the help of a continuous image. In order to portray the tenderness of the couple, on the left, Lord Shiva leans closely to the beautiful Parvati, picking wildflowers that he later gives to his beloved and leads her through the wilderness to reassure her. On the right, the story turns to depict an intimate and domesticated scene, with the couple resting on a large, vigorously drawn tiger’s skin. Like his father, Devidasa, Golu has also used the “lotus petal” eyes, angular faces, and bold outlines to create massive emotions or the rasa. Lord Shiva is portrayed with a serpent around his neck, with his body smeared with ash, and Parvati is dressed in a rich green ghagra, gold work, and jewelry. Overall, the painting is perfectly structured to eliminate any sense of landscape, drawing the beholder closer to the two lovers who are intensely devoted to each other in the world’s farthest reaches. Left – Shiva is seen in a loving mood with his wife Parvati under the heavily decorated blossoming tree. He picks wild flowers for Parvati with his right hand and checks the uneven ground with his foot to make certain that she does not stumble or get tired. Right – the couple is seen relaxing on a large detailed tiger skin. Shiva is relaxed as he holds his beloved wife close to him, depicting domesticity and tranquility.