KRHISNA AND HIS CONSORTS

Painting on glass characteristic of the production of the city of Tangalore. This type of religious imagery is decorated with inlaid glass, enamel and gold, giving greater decorative value to the work. Krishna is a Hindu deity, considered the eighth avatar of the god Vishnu, frequently represented in popular Hindu art. His popularity stems from his presence from the fourteenth century in the art of miniature not only Hindu, but even in the Mughal court. His legend tells how he was born son of princes, abandoned in a basket in the river, due to the threats of his uncle under the prophecy that a nephew of his would kill him. To save himself from the ordered slaughter of children, Krishna is abandoned in a basket on the Yamura River. He and his brother were taken in by a shepherd couple who will raise them until their historical realization. In the meantime, he will show himself as a child with supernatural powers with which he will overcome all kinds of dangers. Raised as a favorite of the gods, he likes to dance and sing among the shepherdesses (gopis), being very famous his amorous episodes. The prophecy will be fulfilled, and Krishna kills his uncle, subsequently marrying the princess Rukmini. The blue color of Krishna’s body is one of his identification signs, as well as his representations as a musician and dancer. In this case he has been represented in his divine majesty, flanked by two of his saktis or female energies, also considered as his wives. I.C.F. / Extracted from: Isabel CERVERA FERNÁNDEZ: Fundación Rodríguez-Acosta. Asian Art Collection. Granada, 2002. Bibliography: A.A.V.V.: National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum. New Delhi, 1989, p.119.