The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 18, 2025

Kamakandala dies on hearing the news of Madhava’s death, folio 19 from a Madhavanala-Kamakandala of Alam

c. 1720

Northern India, Pahari kingdoms

gum tempera and gold on paper
Image: 17.6 x 28.5 cm (6 15/16 x 11 1/4 in.); Page: 20.2 x 31 cm (7 15/16 x 12 3/16 in.)
Purchase and partial gift from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection; Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2018.94
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

The scene is set at night with a star-studded sky.

Description

Having seen how desperately Madhava loves Kamakandala, King Vikrama decides to test Kamakandala to ensure she loves him equally. Time is compressed in this scene. King Vikrama is shown delivering the false news that Madhava died from a broken heart. In response, Kamakandala faints, and her friend sees that her tongue has turned black, according to the poem. Kamakandala then dies, and her friends cry and wail, letting their hair loose in an act of mourning; the king’s groom looks downcast.

At the end, Madhava dies after hearing of Kamakandala’s death. King Vikrama is seized with deep regret, until a celestial being restores their lives, and the lovers are reunited.
  • ?–2018
    Catherine Glynn Benkaim and Ralph Benkaim Collection
    2018–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
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Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.94