Abhisarika Nayika (Heroine Braving the Night)

ca. 1800

Not on view

There are eight nayika (heroine) love stories, the most popular and frequently illustrated being the abhisarika nayika. While a storm gathers above, a woman ventures undaunted through a forest populated by snakes and demons in order to rendezvous with her lover. The storm and the hazardous landscape hint at the trials and passion of her impending encounter. This drawing typifies the refinement of the early-nineteenth-century Kangra and Guler styles.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Exhibition History

Title: Abhisarika Nayika (Heroine Braving the Night)
Date: ca. 1800
Culture: India (Pahari Hills, Kangra or Guler)
Medium: Ink, wash ,and translucent watercolor on paper
Dimensions: Image (sight): 6 1/2 x 8 3/4 in. (16.5 x 22.2 cm)
Framed: 16 x 20 in. (40.6 x 50.8 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Gift of Subhash Kapoor, in memory of his parents, Smt Shashi Kanta and Shree Parshotam Ram Kapoor, 2008
Object Number: 2008.359.34
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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The Marital Bliss of Nala and Damayanti: Folio from a Nala-Damayanti Series, Ranjha, Ink and opaque watercolor on paper, India (Kangra, Himachal Pradesh) — The Marital Bliss of Nala and Damayanti: Folio from a Nala-Damayanti Series
Ranjha
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The Demon Hiranyaksha Departs the Demon Palace: Folio from a Bhagavata Purana Series, Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper, Northern India, Guler, Himachal Pradesh — The Demon Hiranyaksha Departs the Demon Palace: Folio from a Bhagavata Purana Series
Northern India, Guler, Himachal Pradesh
ca. 1740

Rama Releases the Demon Spies Shuka and Sarana: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series
, Manaku Indian, Opaque watercolor, ink and gold on paper, India, Guler, Himachal Pradesh — Rama Releases the Demon Spies Shuka and Sarana: Folio from the Siege of Lanka series
Manaku
ca. 1725

The Disrobing of Draupadi, Nainsukh Indian, Opaque watercolor and gold on paper, India, Himachal Pradesh, Guler — The Disrobing of Draupadi
Nainsukh
ca. 1760–65

Krishna Subdues the Serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna River: Illustration from a Bhagavata Purana Series, Nainsukh Indian, Ink and wash on paper, India (Pahari Hills, Guler or Kangra) — Krishna Subdues the Serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna River: Illustration from a Bhagavata Purana Series
Nainsukh
ca. 1780

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