Footnotes

Provenance
Anrad Gallery, London.

The Pahari school of miniature painting developed in the mid 18th century when artists from the declining Mughal courts sought patronage from the local chiefs of the Punjab hills. Several schools such as Garhwal, Chamba and Bisholi emerged distinguished by stylistic variations. The Kangra developed under the patronage of Raja Govardhan Chand of Haripur Guler, presently in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.

Inspired by the rolling green hills of the Dhauladhar range of the lower Himalayas, the wave-like terraced paddy fields and rivulets fed by the melting snow, the artists moved from painting portraits of royalty, hunting and courtly scenes to themes drawn from Bhakti literature. They drew inspiration from various texts, most notably from the Geet Govind written by the poet Jayadev in the 12th century. All the Pahari schools developed this new spirit of spiritual love for the personal God, or bhakti, the highest of which was believed to be shared by Radha and Krishna. The sentiments are expressed visually in a lyrical style full of rhythm and grace and the paintings are typified by a delicacy of line, vibrant colours and minute decorative details. The mood of love - or longing - is evoked through the posture and position of the protagonist and the intensity enhanced by the dense green foliage all around.

The arrival of Spring and the celebration of Holi are closely tied together as it celebrates the end of a long winter and the renewal of hope. We also celebrate the birth of Krishna, or a new dawn with the advent of longer days and warmer weather. The paintings of the Geet Govind depict the poetry of the pangs of separation of the beloved from her lover - the journey of a devotee towards union with the Lord of their heart.

Rajeev Kumar's exquisite miniature painting captures the playful and divine essence of Radha and Krishna celebrating Holi, rendered in the delicate, intricate style rooted in traditional Indian miniature art. Set against a lush, verdant landscape, the central figures of Radha and Krishna are depicted in vibrant hues, joyfully applying coloured powders, their expressions imbued with affection and mischief. In the distance, smaller figures mirror their celebration, emphasizing the communal joy of the festival. The composition is harmoniously layered, with fine detailing in foliage and attire, creating a lyrical, almost timeless atmosphere that evokes the spiritual and sensual delight of Holi.