Shiva and Parvati Playing Chaupar: Folio from a Rasamanjari Series 1694 - 1695

Devidasa of Nurpur painted this folio, Shiva and Parvati Playing Chaupar, around 1700, using opaque watercolor on paper. The texture of the handmade paper support would have subtly influenced the application of the paint, creating a slightly mottled surface. The colors themselves are significant. Mineral pigments like ochre and perhaps lapis lazuli were carefully ground and mixed with a binding medium. The artist would have built up the composition layer by layer, defining forms with precise brushstrokes. Look closely, and you can see the incredible detail that has been applied to the figures' jewelry, clothing, and facial features. The artist would have likely used a very fine brush, perhaps made from squirrel hair, to achieve this level of refinement. The process of creating this painting was a labor of love, involving not only the artist but also the individuals who sourced and prepared the materials. This underscores how the artistic practices are deeply embedded in the social and economic context of their time. Appreciating the materiality and making of this painting allows us to connect with the rich cultural heritage of 18th-century India.