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Illustration of an Indian woman holding a flower
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INDIAN SCHOOL, LATE 18TH CENTURY

Krishna and the gopis celebrate holi.

circa 1790

RCIN 1005113.r

folio 16

This painting of Krishna and the gopīs celebrating the spring festival of Holī (also known as the 'festival of colours' or the 'festival of love') depicts them in a traditional forest grove. However the larger composition is that of a Lucknow-style palace with ornamental gardens and a princess sitting on a covered balcony. In the foreground is a lady filling up her water shooter with yellow-dyed water from a fountain pool. In the centre, the group of gopīs throw purple powder at each other while drums are played and, to the right, a eunuch dances waving a shawl above his head. Next to him a woman appears to tie a love note to a tree. Encircling the group are animal-skin clad dancing yogis, one of whom carries a peacock feather flywhisk. Watching from above is the princess and other ladies of the zenānā.

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