Author: Karl Khandalavala
Publisher: Lalit Kala Akademi
Year: 1981
Language: English
Pages: 10
ISBN/UPC (if available): NA
Description
Mankot ranks as one of the major centres of painting in the Punjab hills, and all the six plates in this portfolio are from the series of paintings in the Chandigarh Museum.
What distinguishes Bhagavata series from Mankot is the intensity of feeling which resides in it. The artist appears to be steeped in the 'rasa' of 'bhakti' in which the 'Purana' is so rich, and seems to regard all else inferior to it.
The part of the 'Bhagavata', illustrations to which have survived, is the tenth 'skandha' of the book which centres around the story of Krishna. This is easily the most favorite among its selections, for it is as rich in 'rasa' as it is in narrative interest. The artist, like the narrator of the 'Purana', delights in the wonderful innocence and the beauty of the Krishna story, marveling at the deeds of the divine child, savoring the tender details of his pranks, swaying like the gopis, to the notes of his flute. The impassioned narration is matched at every step by the inventive boldness of the paintings.