Radha's Hidden Endeavors That Indicate Her Preoccupation with Love (Prachanna Chesta), Folio from a Rasikapriya (Connoiseur's Delights)

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Radha's Hidden Endeavors That Indicate Her Preoccupation with Love (Prachanna Chesta), Folio from a Rasikapriya (Connoiseur's Delights)

India, Rajasthan, Amber, circa 1625-1650
Drawings; watercolors
Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper
Image: 8 3/4 x 5 3/8 in. (22.23 x 13.65 cm); Sheet: 9 5/8 x 6 1/8 in. (24.45 x 15.56 cm)
Gift of Paul F. Walter (M.71.110.1)
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

The Rasikapriya (Connoisseur’s Delights) was composed in 1591 in Braj-Bhasa by the poet Keshavdas (1555–1617). ...
The Rasikapriya (Connoisseur’s Delights) was composed in 1591 in Braj-Bhasa by the poet Keshavdas (1555–1617). This folio illustrates How Nayikas Show Their Love and Radha’s Hidden Endeavor (Rasikapriya 5:124-125): How Nayikas Show Their Love Her ears she scratches, then anon With laziness does stretch her limbs, Sometimes repeatedly she yawns And laughs at nothing - then begins To talk with her dear friend, thus she With false pretense her body shows Unto her lover - so do these Loved maidens their deep love disclose - Clear and hid, and their lovers please, And by their wisdom win them o’er. Radha’s Hidden Endeavor Radha’s bosom companion says to her: “Why glancing down you turn and start, Me covertly to look upon? Why laugh, being pleased within your heart? Swear you by Krishna! why oft you yawn? Restless, your graceful limbs you stretch And leave your splendid breasts unclothed, And ofttimes with excitement swell, And ’gainst my bosom nestle close: And with mind wandering you essay To do this when that should be done! Tell me, my friend! have you this day Accomplished something for your fun?” (Translation by K.P. Bahadur.) See its series mate M.72.3.2. Folios from the comparable dispersed “Boston” Rasikapriya, attributed to Amber, circa 1610-1615, are in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (29 folios) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (18.85.5a-b, 1990.323, and 1991.404.2). For an alternate translation by V. P. Mishra, see Harsha V. Dehejia, Rasikapriya: Ritikavya of Keshavdas in Ateleirs of Love (New Delhi: D.K. Printworld, 2013), pp. 67, 183, verse and fig. 5.4-9.
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Bibliography

  • Dehejia, Harsha V. Rasikapriya: ritikavya of Keshavdas in ateleirs of love. New Delhi: D.K. Printworld, 2013.