The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of January 27, 2023

Women Play Music for Radha and Krishna: Chitrini Nayika, from a Rasikapriya

c. 1650

Central India, Madhya Pradesh, Malwa

Gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper

Page: 22.9 x 16.2 cm (9 x 6 3/8 in.)

Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.132

Location

not on view

Fun Fact

Krishna wears a translucent yellow tunic (<em>jama</em>), tied under the right arm, which is usually the convention for Muslims.

Description

The idea of aesthetic appreciation as explored by the poet Keshavdas (Indian, 1555–1617) in the excerpt from his Rasikapriya written on the back of this painting is envisioned as the appreciation of music. With their arms around each other, Radha and Krishna enjoy the performance on a stringed instrument (setar), cymbals, and drum in the forest.

Inscriptions

Inscription

nṛta gīta kavitā rucca acala citta cala dṛṣthi viharata rati āti surata jana madhu gaṃdha kī śṛṣthi virala loma tana magana gra bhāvata sakala suvasa mitra citra priya citrinī janahu kesavadasa bolibau bolani kau sunivau avalokani ke savaloka najotai nāchivau gāivau vīnu vajāi vīri-hi rihāivo jānatu totai rāga virāga nike parirambhana hasa vilasa te reta kotai to mili tau hari mitrahi kau sakhi aise caritra jau citra mai hote. 39

Inscription Translation

One who is proficient in dance, song and poetry, who is of stable character, but whose eyes are restless, whose mouth is fragrant, who is graceful in the arts of love is called a chitrini nayika. One who has very little body hair, who is capable of providing a lot of amorous activity, who is fond of aromatic substances, and who loves paintings is called a chitrini nayika. [The Nayika is looking at a picture of Krishna.] If this painting could talk and listen, if it could see and be seen, if it could dance, sing, play the vina, sulk and cause others to sulk, love, embrace, and laugh, then this painting would verily become Krishna. 39

Provenance
1989–2001
Ralph Benkaim [1914–2001] and Catherine Glynn Benkaim [b. 1946], Beverly Hills, CA, by descent to Catherine Benkaim
2001–2018
Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Barbara Timmer, Beverly Hills, CA, partial sale and gift to the Cleveland Museum of Art
2018–
The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Source URL: https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.132