The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Eleventh Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot) Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Eleventh Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)

c. 1560

Banavari 2

(Indian, active 1550s-1590s)

Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper

Painting only: 7.7 x 10.1 cm (3 1/16 x 4 in.); Overall: 20.1 x 13.6 cm (7 15/16 x 5 3/8 in.)

Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.87.a

Location: not on view

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Did You Know?

Two painters named Banavari are known to have been active during the Akbar period.

Description

When the lover of the ocean—the sun—entered his place of retirement in the west and the beloved of the stars— the moon—came out of the bride’s apartment in the east, Khujasta with eyes wet like the sea and tears like brilliant gems went to Tuti to ask his permission to leave. . . .
Eleven days and nights have come and gone since Khujasta fell for a local prince. Each night, having prepared herself for a lovers’ rendezvous, her husband’s pet parrot has beguiled her into staying up all night listening to his stories at home. On this night, he tells her that it is good that she has sought his advice on going out, for “[Anyone] who seeks counsel in regard to his affairs and secures advice on his problems will see exactly what the Brahman saw.”
Unable to stem her curiosity, she asks the parrot what he saw.