Head of Krishna: cartoon for a mural of the Raslila 1790 - 1810

Sahib Ram painted this study of Krishna's head for a mural of the Raslila in the late 18th century. The elaborate turban, adorned with jewels, flowers, and a golden finial, immediately signifies divinity and royalty. Think of similar headdresses in ancient Egyptian depictions of pharaohs, or the papal tiara. The turban, however, transcends mere status. It becomes a vessel, a memory bank containing layers of meaning. Consider the symbolic weight of the ornaments that compose Krishna's adornments. Each element carries cultural significance, reflecting prosperity, purity, and spiritual enlightenment. Throughout the ages, adorning the body in this way has been a ritual, a performance, that allows us to tap into deep wells of emotion and aspiration, engaging with the divine, not just on a conscious but also on a subconscious level. The image before you is not just a likeness of Krishna but a potent symbol. We can trace its lineage through the corridors of time, observing its evolution and enduring power.