The Mature Heroine Whose Husband is Away (Praudha Proshita Bhartrika), Folio from the “Nurpur” Rasamanjari (Bouquet of Delights)

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The Mature Heroine Whose Husband is Away (Praudha Proshita Bhartrika), Folio from the “Nurpur” Rasamanjari (Bouquet of Delights)

India, Himachal Pradesh, Nurpur, circa 1710-1720
Drawings; watercolors
Opaque watercolor, gold, silver, and ink on paper
Sheet: 8 1/2 x 12 5/8 in. (21.59 x 32.07 cm); Image: 6 5/8 x 10 7/8 in. (16.83 x 27.62 cm)
From the Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates Purchase (M.75.4.29)
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

The Rasamanjari (Bouquet of Delights) was composed by the Bengali Sanskrit poet Bhanudatta (15th century). It classifies 384 types of female and male lovers. ...
The Rasamanjari (Bouquet of Delights) was composed by the Bengali Sanskrit poet Bhanudatta (15th century). It classifies 384 types of female and male lovers. This folio illustrates the verses on the reverse describing the Mature Heroine Whose Husband is Away (Praudha Proshita Bhartrika) (Rasamanjari 41): With the departure of her Lord Krishna, The nayika (who has beautiful eyebrows) has discarded her garland of lotus-petals, Her necklace of pearls, and her girdle. Not only that, her armlet has reached her wrist as if to feel her pulse. (Translation by M. S. Randhawa and S. D. Bhambri.) See its series mate M.75.4.29. Additional folios from this dispersed series are in the British Museum, London (1961,0211,0.2), Cleveland Museum of Art (1967.239), National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa (23625), National Museum of Asian Art, Washington (S2018.1.14), and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. For an alternate translation, see Sheldon Pollock, Bouquet of Rasa & River of Rasa by Bhanudatta (New York: Clay Sanskrit Library and New York University Press, 2009), p. 41.
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Bibliography

  • Rosenfield, John.  The Arts of India and Nepal: The Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection.  Boston:  Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1966.