by Ranjha. From the Nala Damayanti series.
Kangra School. Late 18th century AD.
The guests have started pouring in for the swayamvar. Raja Bhim bows to Nala and receives him with all the courtesy due to a guest. While Raja Bhim is accompanied by his priests, Nala is with his retinue of arm bearers and courtiers. The city is full of activity: a procession of prince passes through the main bazar in the right corner of the painting; tents are being set up on the left upper corner; a big tent is being erected in the foreground; princes have settled into their pavilions; few are discussing the possibilities of their winning Damayanti's hand in marriage.
Ranjha is at his best capturing the sights and sounds of a bustling city. One can hear the sound of the tent pitchers, the sound of the horses and the camels, the shouts of the servants, the conversation of the princes. The scene looks chaotic, but everyone is busy with his own life and activity. It looks like a typical Indian city.
Yet what seems permanent is temporary. We are all tent dwellers. Here today, gone tomorrow.
Ranjha is at his best capturing the sights and sounds of a bustling city. One can hear the sound of the tent pitchers, the sound of the horses and the camels, the shouts of the servants, the conversation of the princes. The scene looks chaotic, but everyone is busy with his own life and activity. It looks like a typical Indian city.
Yet what seems permanent is temporary. We are all tent dwellers. Here today, gone tomorrow.
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