Topic: Nayika

[Nichi]

"Vipralabdha Nayika" (one deceived by her lover), also spelt Vipralabhdha, is a deceived heroine, who waited for her lover the whole night. She is depicted throwing away her jewellery as her lover did not keep his promise. Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, 20th century.

[Nichi]

Radha blames cat for scratches inflicted by lover, Basohli, ca. 1660-1670. 'She who is secretly another's'. [verso] [a Rasamanjari verse] 'O Sakhi! My mother-in-law may get angry, my friends may become hostile to me and sisters-in-law may slander me; but I shall not sleep again in that house where the cat, suddenly pouncing in her attempt to attack a mouse coming out of a hole in the corner, scratched my body with her sharp claws'.

Best view in the attachment and in this link (click and enlarge): http://media.vam.ac.uk/collections/img/2013/GD/2013GD5576_2500.jpg

[Nichi]

The scene represents atibhaya milana, or the meeting of lovers at a calamitous moment. Above, deep within a palace complex on fire, the heroine lies asleep on a bed as Krishna embraces her. The flames indicate danger, but also provide a metaphor for the passion of the lovers. In the outer courtyards and along the palace walls, servants attempt to douse the flames with pots of water. Mewar, c.1660.

[Nichi]

Abhisarika

The above is an image one sees a lot on the sites which post the old art. It was fun (for me) the other day to find the following image, which is actually quite rare. It is apparently the entire painting from which the above was culled:



Krishna abhisarika nayika - the nayika who goes out to meet her lover in the dark phase of the moon [Krishna-Abhisarika Nayika]. Present Location: Private collection. Location: Kangra, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India. Date: ca 1800-1825 CE

[Nichi]

Abhisarika Nayika. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, 19th century. In the dark of night under black clouds and lightening the nayika hurries to her tryst, her distracted state allows her to walk past snakes and drop her precious jewelry.

(Too bad this image is so small - the detail in her garb is fascinating.)

[Nichi]

Shuklabhisarika (woman dressed in white going to meet her beloved) Nayika: page from a dispersed manuscript of Keshavadas's Rasikapriya (Connoisseur's Delight). Date c. 1840. Himachal Pradesh, Kangra

Those are Chukar Partridges in the forefront - frequently used in these designs.

"The Abhisarika Nayika is generally – but not always – shown in costumes of blue or dark colours. This is especially so if the painter is depicting her in the darker half of the lunar month (krishna paksha). If it’s the brighter half of the lunar month (shukla paksha) the painter will usually depict the nayika/heroine in white clothes." ~Vintage Indian Clothing.

[Nichi]

A lady braving the night to keep a tryst on a night of storm, trees and snakes surrounding her, Abhisarika Nayika. Bilaspur, ca. 1840

[Nichi]

An illustration from a Nayika series. Kangra, circa 1820-30. Opaque watercolor and gold on paper; under a dazzling star-filled sky, the nayika forges a path through the absolute darkness to her lover waiting in the lighted window of the far-off palace.

Sadly small image, but I loved the stars.

[Nichi]

Krishna a. Abhisarika / Indian miniature, Pahari School, Basohli-Style, 3rd quarter 17th century. “Abhisarika: Even snakes cannot divert him from his way” (Krishna begs his adored one, to give in to his courtship). From a series with illustrations to the poem “Rasamanjari” by Bhanudata. Jammu, Dogra Art Gallery.

[Nichi]

Abhisarika nayika by Mola Ram. Garhwal, 1850

[Nichi]

Illustration to a Nayika-Nayaka Bheda, Guler or Kangra 1780, Abhisarika Nayika.

[Michael]

Punchy series

[Nichi]

Lover at Feet of Beloved. Basohli, Kathua District, Jammu and Kashmir, India Date: ca 1700 CE


Click and enlarge attachment.

[Nichi]

Utka Nayika



http://78.media.tumblr.com/4c57272a0e8f1103bc3aa2095298692c/tumblr_oib5ufZrer1sjjdtyo1_1280.jpg