Twenty Two Playful Pachyderms

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The Mughal emperors formerly unfamiliar with the elephant were impressed by its sharp intelligence, faithful nature and indispensability in the battlefield. They maintained special imperial elephant stables (filkhana) and appointed dedicated staff to train and look after them. Painters of their tasvirkhana produced outstanding images of this gentle, intelligent animal. They excelled in capturing the characteristics of the species with the maximum possible detail. Hence, pictures of an elephant herd or group belonging to this period are not rare. <> These tiny figures of elephants in action are imbued with realism and invariably drawn rhythmic. One cannot fail to admire the minute observation of the artist and his ability to portray it all in pint-sized elephants (twenty two in all) in a miniature painting. This is not merely a copy of their external appearances but an objective illustration of their mood. The playful creatures are shown frolicking and having a fun time while they are not required for either for elephant fights or for battle. Some have their trunks raised and others their tails. They sport plain, undecorated over blankets. Attention has been paid to the use of pigments that reflect the actual color of the elephant.

The painting is accurate, attractive and full of vigor. The artist's precise line and judicious use of colors brilliantly capture the bond in the fraternity. The background is treated plain except for a slight suggestion of the ground depicted by green patches beneath the feet of the minute pachyderms.

This description by Renu Rana.