Signed 'Husain' (centre left)
PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artist
Private collection, Singapore
In his extensive travels around India between 1948 and 56, Hussain developed an intimate understanding of the Basohli style of Indian miniature painting. A frequent refrain in this style is the romance between the hero and heroine, with particular reference to Radha and Krishna. ‘The nayaka-nayika (hero and heroine) theme - often portrayed in the guise of Radha and her divine lover Krishna - was the Basohli painter’s favourite subject; on pictorial composition of eloquent lyricism, he made his theme quick with emotion […] (Richard Bartholomew and Shiv S. Kapur, Husain, Harry N. Abram, New York, 1971, p. 38)
Husain has marshaalled this theme and combined it with his strong inclination towards rasa, the aesthetic content of an emotion in artistic works and performances. The rasa conveyed through the visual of Radha and Krishna is sringara, or sensual devotion. True to the character of sringara, Hussain has brought out the lyrical quality of romance. The painting is rich in movement with the flutter of the white angavastra, against the evening sky.