Sri Krishna, the dark-skinned cowherd boy of Vrindavana and the beloved of Gopis of Brija, in the mystical poetry of his devotees, has become the manifestation of divine sweetness, experiencing which is the ultimate pleasure one can achieve in the three realms.
It is to live and relive the ecstasy of Krishna’s proximity that his devotees transform themselves into the cowherd girls, the Sakhi or Gopi, and visualize themselves in the company of the eternally youthful Lord.
Surrounded by beautiful Gopis, Sri Krishna in Indian art tradition surpasses the glory of the God of Love, Kamadeva. In the Patachitra painting of Sri Krishna with his queens Satyabhama and Rukmini and other Gopis on a boat, the splendor of Gopinatha- the Lord of Gopis is unbounded.
In a great lake drawn with blue and white brush strokes, the love boat of Sri Krishna floats, shaped like an exquisite swan holding a fragrant lotus blossom in his beak and the entourage of Krishna on its back. The head of the swan boat is decorated with white and yellow shades, and a lotus motif on its neck, and its body is adorned with floral vines and intricate curving lines.
Under a royal arch sits Sri Krishna, flanked by his head queens Satyabhama and Rukmini, dressed in rich attire, offering their beloved a Paan (beetle leaf)- a symbolic invitation for the acts of love in Indian culture. The arch is embellished with Makara (a mythical creature who represents royalty) holding two parasols (another Hindu symbol of royalty), and a pair of parrots, the bird mount of Kamadeva.
On the deck of the boat are six female figures, dressed in pleasing ethnic fineries and engaged in different activities. Two of them are sitting near Krishna and his queens gazing at them joyfully, two are elegantly postured and rowing the boat, while two of them are settled on the end of the boat with earthen pots on their heads.
The Gopi in a blue sari on the head of the swan appears to be gesturing at a group of fellow milk maidens standing ashore, inviting them to join the retinue of Krishna. The three maidens on the rocky shore look patiently at the boat, as it approaches them, sailing through the waves of the lake, its movement highlighted by the curving of blue and white lines around the body of the boat submerged in water and the rowing sticks held by the Gopis.
The Patachitra of Krishna with Rukmini and Satyabhama is framed by a line of floral vines drawn over a black border, followed by another line of a contrasting white shade, with simple motifs. Against the beige backdrop, swathed in the eye-catching shades donned by the subjects of this Pata painting, the pulsating colors of Sri Krishna’s romantic Lilas come to life.
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