Radha’s Confidante Brings Her to Krishna, Based on Poetry of Bihari (Indian, 1595–1663)

c. 1790–1800

Maker Unknown

Indian and Southeast Asian Art

Radha’s Confidante Brings Her to Krishna, Based on Poetry of Bihari (Indian, 1595–1663), c. 1790–1800. Northwestern India, Rajasthan, Rajput Kingdom of Jaipur. Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper; page: 28.3 x 39.4 cm (11 1/8 x 15 1/2 in.); miniature: 21.6 x 31.4 cm (8 1/2 x 12 3/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.172 In the night, Radha is being led to Krishna waiting at the place of tryst by a female companion (sakhi). The sakhi takes off Radha’s veil so that her moonlit face could light up their way. Krishna is shown waiting for the arrival of Radha in a grove. Radha’s house has been decorated with ornamented inlay designs of floral patterns. Halos behind the heads of Radha and Krishna suggest their eminence as divine lovers.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Maker Unknown
Classification: Painting
Formatted Medium: Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Medium: gum, tempera, ink, gold, paper
Dimensions: Page: 28.3 x 39.4 cm (11 1/8 x 15 1/2 in.); Miniature: 21.6 x 31.4 cm (8 1/2 x 12 3/8 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: [on top margin] chippo chipā kara chita chato tama sasihara na samhāri hasatti hasatti cali śaśimukhī mukha ttai ghumghata tāri. [on bottom margin] yaha nāyakā madhyā koṃ sakhī nāyaka pāsi le jāva hai caṃdramā chipato dekhi sakhī nāyakā kā mukh ko pata duri karai hai ki haimstī haim cāli tere mukha ko prakāsa ho jāyago. Translation: [Sakhi to Nayika] “The moon is set, the earth is overcast with darkness. Do not feel scared, o moon-faced belle, take off your veil and move onward with a smile on your face.” This Nayika is being lead to the Nayaka by the Sakhi. On seeing the moon hide [behind the clouds] the sakhi removes Nayika’s veil and says “walk smilingly and the world will light up” Remark: Shailka Mishra version: Inscription: chipyo chipakar chit chaiyo [Radha comes] hiding in the shadows of the buildings [chit means place or earth, here it seems to refer to the palace behind.] tam sasi haran samha ri hasti hasti chali [To signify the time i.e. night, the poet says] The moon glows and takes away the darkness [the word used is haran which means kidnap, so literally the moon kidnaps the darkness (tam)] [And] In this atmosphere (samha) [Radha] is walking joyfully [hasti hasti would mean laughing but here it symbolizes Radha's happiness] shashi mukhi mukh te ghoonghat [Radha's] face is like the moon and it is covered with a veil (ghoonghat) vah nayika madhya ko sakhi nayak pasi le jav hai She is the nayika whom the sakhi slowly leads to the nayak [the hero here, Krishna] chandrama chipto dekhi sakhi nayika ka mukh ko pat duri kare hai On seeing the moon hide [behind the clouds] the sakhi removes the veil from her [Radha's] face ki haesti hain hai chali tere mukh ko prakash ho jayego [And remarks that When you] Smile and walk the world lights up [with the beauty of your smile]….. Shailka Mishra, April 2012
Departments: Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Accession Number: 2018.172
Credit Line: Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
Exhibitions: Supernatural Love - Indian Gallery 242 Rotation
Rights Statement: CC0