Question

In which Rajasthani school painting is Krishna shown twice, in the upper and lower part of the composition?

• A. Krishna with Swing
• B. Krishna with Gopi's
• C. Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana
• D. Maru Ragini

Hint:

To remember this, think of the temporal division of storytelling in Rajasthani miniatures: the upper and lower halves in Krishna with Swing act as comic-strip panels depicting different phases of love (Sringara Rasa).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Identifying the Artwork and Context:
The painting titled Krishna on Swing (or Krishna with Swing) is a seminal masterpiece belonging to the Bikaner sub-school of the Rajasthani miniature painting tradition. It was painted by the renowned artist Nuruddin in the year 1683 AD using water-based tempera colors on paper.

Step 2: Compositional Structure and Spatial Division:
The composition of this painting is unique because the artist has divided the pictorial space into two distinct horizontal registers (panels) to narrate a poetic sequence from Keshavdas's Rasikapriya:

• Upper Panel (Register): On the left, Krishna is shown sitting on a decorative swing (hindola) under a tree. He wears a crown and a yellow dhoti. On the right, Radha is depicted sitting inside a beautifully decorated pavilion (porch), gazing at Krishna with deep affection and emotion.
• Lower Panel (Register): Here, Krishna is depicted for the second time, sitting on a carpet of grass in a garden setting, engaging in a gentle, personal conversation with Radha, who is sitting opposite him.

Step 3: Analyzing other Options:

• Krishna with Gopis (Basohli style) shows Krishna once in the center surrounded by multiple Gopis.
• Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana (Mughal style, Miskin) displays Krishna once in the center, lifting the mountain on his left pinky finger.
• Maru Ragini (Mewar style, Sahibdin) showcases the royal couple riding a camel.

Hence, option (A) is the only composition where Krishna appears twice.