A SHRI NATH JI PUJA
Possibly Nathdwara, Rajasthan, North-Western India, late 19th - 20th century

Opaque pigments heightened with gold on wove paper, the large vertical composition depicting a typical puja scene in a templar complex dedicated to the murti (icon) of Shri Nath Ji, a special form of Krishna worshipped in Nathdwara, Shri Nath Ji shown here in the position of holding up Mount Govardhan, flanked by two white-clad brahmins holding fans and officiating the ceremony, a Rajput ruler standing on the left and holding his hands in prayer as a sign of devotion, behind him musicians playing the sitar and clapping to the tune of a kirtan, the rest of the composition animated by temple helpers keeping the space clean and ritually pure, set within black rules and bright red borders, 40.5cm x 30.4cm.