The funeral procession for Bali, the vanara King
Life Story
At Nurpur the artists experimented with a variety of styles but they are usually simple, almost folkish. The figures have squarish heads and long eyes with straight eyelids. There are often puffy clouds in the background, but little landscape detail.
This painting illustrates a story from the Ramayana. The grieving Queen Tara and her attendants are shown following the palanquin of King Bali whose attendants are depicted as monkeys. One monkey carries a funeral drum and another carries a bowl of sacred water on his head. The puffy clouds and plain landscape typical of Nurpur pictures are evident.
Description taken from the ‘Art From The Indian Sub-Continent In The Sainsbury Centre’ catalogue by Margaret A. Willey (Sainsbury Centre, UEA, 1995).
Provenance
Donated to the Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia in 1973 as part of the original gift.
Not on display
Title/Description: The funeral procession for Bali, the vanara King
Born: 1700 c. - 1750 c.
Object Type: Drawing
Materials: Paper, Silver, Watercolour
Measurements: h 176 x w. 264 mm (frame: 362 x 436 x 20 mm)
Accession Number: 543
Historic Period: 18th century - Early
Production Place: Asia, India, Punjab Hills
School/Style: Indian Miniatures
Credit Line: Donated by Robert and Lisa Sainsbury, 1973
