Krishna and Gopis playing on a swing (hindola)

In Hinduism the love story between Radha and Krishna symbolises the divine union between the individual self and the universal self. In this work they stand together on a swing (hindola), surrounded by gopis (cow-herding girls famous for their unconditional devotion to Krishna). The gopis’ musical instruments indicate that this work personifies the Hindola Raga, a piece of Indian music played to express the divine joy felt by Krishna on the swing. The bold colours, typical of Jodhpur painting, convey the scene’s vibrant joy, while the curving lines of the tree and the bell skirts of the gopis evoke the lilting rhythm of both the music and the swing’s movement. This jubilant work embodies the uplifting spirit of the Hindola Raga, exemplifying how line and colour are employed in Indian miniature paintings to achieve rasa (mood, emotion), delighting the eye and enlivening the soul.

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