Krishna on swing

Title

Krishna on swing

Year/Period

19th century

Region

Tanjore-Madurai area, Tamil Nadu, south India

Object Type

paintings (visual works), Religious and Ceremonial Items

Material

wood (plant material), cotton (textile), paint (coating), gemstone

Technique

pasting, drawing (image-making), repoussé, painting (image-making), incising, textile processes and techniques

Dimension

Object size: H231.5 x W155.5 x D33.5 cm

Accession No.

2006-01627

Collection of

Asian Civilisations Museum

This painting shows a cherubic Krishna wearing kudumi (top knot) and sarpech (head ornament) with his characteristic peacock feather, seated on a swing being venerated by a group of royal and divine personages. Krishna and his entourage are entertained by musicians and dancers in the foreground. The diminutive figures in the absolute foreground are scenes from Krishna's life in which he is shown crawling, stealing butter and chasing after a cow. Flanking Krishna are other Hindu gods, Brahma (creator), Shiva (destroyer), Surya (sun god), Chandra (moon god) and rishis (sages).