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Vipralabdha Nayika (विप्रलब्धा नायिका), a Forlorn Heroine.
Kangra, India.
Circa 1820-1830.
Ink, opaque watercolour and gold on paper.
20.2cm high, 14.8cm wide.
Vipralabdha Nayika is the seventh in the Ashta Nayikas or eight types of heroines. These eight Nayikas represent eight different states or Avasthas in relation to her hero or Nayaka. Vipralabdha Nayika is a beautiful heroine who waited all night for her lover to meet her, only for him to have not turned up. She is dejected, disappointed, and forlorn. In this painting, standing in a forest by a river, covered from head to toe in white with gold borders and elaborate jewellery – earrings, a large nath, rings, layers of pearl necklaces, bangles, maang teekas, and armlets – is our heroine. The nayika can be seen throwing away her jewellery on to a pile of leaves on the ground. It is possible these are jewels her lover has given her and she no longer wants them on her body, though in some versions, it is said that her lover’s absence makes them burn her body and she must shed both the ornaments and her disappointment in him. Often the poetry associated with this nayika also mentions food losing taste and flowers their perfume.
This setting of this painting, on a beautiful hill by a river with a variety of trees with delicately painted leaves would have been a perfect place for a tryst with her lover, highlighting her earlier feelings of anticipation and now frustration. However, in the quiet, early hours of the morning the grey skies and emptiness surrounding her further drives home the point to the viewer of the nayika’s feelings. Whilst even the moon has its reflection in the still water, the nayika stands alone.
A similar depiction of Vipralabdha Nayika as well as a similar border can be seen at the Harvard Art Museum (1974.110). This theme is also seen in the Salar Jung Museum and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (catalogue no. 149).
The BADA Standard
- Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
- Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
- Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
- Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
- Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees
