Rasikapriya

 

Rasikapriya

by Sahibdin
Mewar School
17th century AD.

Keshavdas' Rasikapriya was a popular book in the medieval period. It was a source of inspiration for many artisits both in the Rajput and the Pahari Schools.

Shibdin is one of the few known artists of the Mewar School. His paintings show the influence of both Malwa School and of early Mughal School. The architectural setting, the bright colors, the flatness of the space are borrowed from the former School;  the faces of the women, their transparent chunnis, are from the latter School. But the ethos is typically Hindu.
          The Nayak, painted in blue color, is Krishna. He has arrived at Radha's house where he will find her playing 'chausar' with her friends. Sahibdin has caught the relaxed mood of the moment.  Notice the two birds in the cages, perhaps pointing to the two love birds, Krishna and Radha, who are yet to be united. Radha playing chausar, a game of dice and luck, as much of a gamble as is love.