Observe the painting shown below and answer the questions asked:

What is the central theme depicted in the painting described above?

1) Krishna's love with Radha
2) Krishna's birth and celebration
3) Krishna's charitable activities
4) Krishna's protection from evil forces

2

Answer:  Krishna's birth and celebration
The painting illustrates scenes from the life of Lord Krishna, specifically depicting the celebration and festivities in the house of Nanda and Yashoda after the birth of Krishna.

Illustrating scenes from the Bhagvata Purana, depicting different scenes from the life of Lord Krishna and his leela, have been a popular theme throughout the medieval period for artists. This painting from the collection of National Museum, New Delhi, shows the killing of demon Shaktasura by Krishna (1680–1690). This folio from Bhagvata Purana is a typical example of Malwa style, where the space is carefully compartmentalised with each section narrating different scenes of an episode. One observes scenes of celebration and festivities in the house of Nanda and Yashoda after the birth of Krishna. Men and women are singing and dancing (lower left and upper middle section); overjoyed parents — Nanda and Yashoda — are involved in charitable activities and are seen donating cows and calves to Brahmins and well-wishers (middle left and extreme right); lot of delicious food is being prepared (central section); women are hovering over baby Krishna to safeguard him form the evil eye (upper left section) and the narrative concludes with Krishna toppling, and thus, liberating the cart demon, Shakatasura, with a gentle kick.