Painting

In this painting a nayika, or female heroine, is seated on a swing accompanied by three maids, one of whom is carrying a morchhal (peacock feather fan). Exquisitely dressed in pink, orange and gold, the nayika wears numerous strands of pearls around her neck and wrists. Her coy, downcast gaze and knowing smile are typical of the idealisation of female beauty as interpreted through the Kangra painting style of the Punjab Hills. The thick monsoonal clouds above indicate this may be a representation of the festival Teej. This festival, celebrated at the beginning of the month of Shravan (August-September), sees numerous swings hung from trees and women singing songs in celebration of the arriving monsoon, which is seen as a romantic and erotically charged season in literature and painting. The festival of Teej is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Parvati and celebrates her marriage with Shiva.