In the Kangra painting Abhisarika Nayika, the nayika moves through a dark forest at night. Which of the following does the painter NOT show in this painting?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Ghouls lurking in the dark forest
Option (1) Flashes of lightning in murky clouds — Painted in Abhisarika Nayika. The painter shows the flashes of lightning and the murky clouds of the night.
Option (2) Snakes hissing from hollows of trees — Painted in Abhisarika Nayika. Snakes hiss in the dark, emerging from hollows of the trees.
Option (3) Falling jewellery of the nayika — Painted in Abhisarika Nayika. The falling jewellery is painted too.
Option (4) Ghouls lurking in the dark forest — Not painted in Abhisarika Nayika. Ghouls appear in many versions of the Abhisarika, but this painter omits them.
NCERT (2026-27): “Abhisarika Nayika … The broad iconography of the Abhisarika remains much the same. However, at times, painters vary their renderings in some measure. The ghouls that, usually, appear in many versions are omitted here. But the darkness of the night, flashes of lighting, murky clouds, snakes hissing about in the dark, emerging from hollows of the trees and falling jewellery are all painted.”
Abhisarika Nayika, Kangra, 1810–20, Government Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh, India |
