KHISHINA AS SHRI NATHJI (#2513/13)

OPAQUE WATERCOLOR ON PAPER

RAJASTAN SCHOOL ( KOTA)

CIRCA 1850

26cm. x 34 cm /.10.2” x 13.3”.

EXHIBITED:

Ithaca College Museum of Art Ithaca, New York, 1971

Lycoming College Gallery, Williamsport Pennsylvania, 1981

DESCRIPTION: Khishina is depicted as Shri Nathji and his image is presented in a typical stiff frontal pose. The stance, with blue upraised arm, a single blossom held in his hand. His right arm is bent, hand clasping a full blown lotus. His turban and torso covered with garlands and long strands of pearls, braclets and anklets. He stands on a footed stand before a rose striped stele. The upraised arm symbolizes Shrinathji lifting Mount Govardhana to protect the residents of Rindayan from Indra’s destructive rains. The central image is flanked by devotees, one carrying a lamp, the other holding a whisk .The figures of the devotees are exact in detail , both physiognomical and ornamental. The priest at left faces the central image, performing arati (ritual devotion) with a lamp of five flames held before him. He wears a saffron yellow dhoti and scarf, has Vaishnava tilak marks on his face and is embellished with strings pearls, armbands and bangles. The male figure on the right , more simply adorned , holds an ornate whisk. The painting combines Europeanized elements and style with typical Kota treatment.. “ Shri Nathaji carries a twofold meaning: Natha is the name of the husband of Shri (Lakshmi), as well as the Lord (Natha) of the town Nathadwara, a renown Vaishnava pilgrimage center.”