Krishna Theme in the Visual Arts of Rajasthan

Krishna Theme in the Visual Arts of Rajasthan : The present work is an exhaustive study of Krishna theme in literature painting and sculpture of Rajasthan front 200 B.C. to 1900 A.D. It deals with a vast area of research on the depiction of Krishna in reliefs of temples, baoris, chhatris etc. on the one hand and murals, pichhavais and miniatures on the other. The themes of literature have been interpreted in the paintings and sculptures of Rajasthan which addresses to our emotions and sensibilities. It will be of interest to art historians, artists, critics and anyone concerned with Indian paintings and sculpture.

The work dwells upon deeply with different aspects of the personality of Krishna as an incarnation, as a child god, a youth, a saviours and an amourous lover. The author has dealt with the devotional as well as Sringarika literature in interpreting’ and studying the various themes of Krishna’s life and its representation in different art forms of painting and sculpture.

The analysis of a vast number of paintings and sculptures keeping in view the stylistic characteristics of different schools of Rajasthan’s visual arts is being achieved with competence in this work. The study also reveals the origin, development and transformation of various motifs in this art which have their origin in the legend of Krishna, the flute player cowherd.’ The book carries no less than 90 plates in colour and black and white exhibiting the wide survey of the subject made by the author. The relevant sculptures, painting and pichhavai’s from different art collections of private and Government agencies India have been included in this book.

Author Dr. Vandana Khanna Gauba (birth – 11th February, 1968) has obtained her graduation and post graduation Degrees from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur. She is well conversant with the traditions of Art both in theory and practice.

Her field of interest centres around the art history of Rajasthan. She has published a number of research papers on Krishna legend and its visual representation in the arts of Rajasthan. She was awarded the degree of Ph.D. on her work, The Representation of Krishna theme in the Visual Arts of Rajasthan (200 B.C. – 1900 A.D.) in the year 1993.

Of her numerous activities as an artist, mention may be made of few exhibitions arranged at Faridabad Kala Mela by Rajasthan Lalit Kala Academy between 1988 – 97.