Picture Details
Floor designs (rangoli) from rice paste
Partner:
Victoria and Albert MuseumImage reference:
IS.32-1980Origin:
Bikaner, IndiaArtist / Date:
Unknown, c. 1725Size:
265 x 180 mmDescription:
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This is one of a set of paintings known as barahmasa or 'twelve months'. They use the activities of lovers and nature to illustrate the months and seasons. This page, from a dispersed set, shows the month of Karttik, roughly equivalent to November/December. Here a nobleman is visiting a lady at her home. Outside two women are drawing a floor design (rangoli) in rice paste, and a couple are playing a board game called pachisi or chaupar. The festival of Diwali falls during Karttik, and it is traditional to play games, and often make a bet, at this time. The style of the painting is typical of Bikaner in Rajasthan in the early 18th century and appears to be the work of the court artist Murad.
