Observe the painting and answer the questions:

How does the soft undulating mound function in the shown illustration?

1) Represents a mountain range
2) Divides the painting into two sections
3) Depicts a riverbank
4) Serves as a decorative element

2

Answer: Divides the painting into two sections
The soft undulating mound operates as a pictorial prop that divides the painting into two sections.

This painting, illustrating Rasikapriya, is notable as it is inscribed with a date and name of the artist. Painted in 1683 by artist Nuruddin, who worked in the court of Bikaner from 1674 to 1698, it presents a stark and simple composition with minimal and suggestive representation of architecture and elements of landscape. Nuruddin has ingeniously employed the device of soft undulating mound in the centre to divide the painting into two sections. It operates as a pictorial prop that transforms an urban setting into a tree-laden countryside and vice versa. An architectural pavilion in the upper part of the painting pictorially qualifies that space as the ‘palatial interior’, while few trees on the green grassland suggest ‘outdoors and pastoral’ landscape. Hence, one understands the movement of the narrative from top to bottom as a progression of activities from indoors to outdoors. Appearing in the upper section of the painting, Krishna seated on a swing seems to be enjoying himself in the company of a Gopi at her dwelling. On learning about his rendezvous a jilted Radha, stricken with grief, disappears into the countryside and finds herself alone under a tree. Guilt-ridden Krishna, on learning of Radha’s sorrow, follows her but there is no truce happening. Meanwhile, Radha’s sakhi (friend) gets to know of the fall out and takes on the role of a messenger and pacifier. She comes to Krishna and tells him of the misery and plight of Radha, and implores him to appease her. This painting is in the collection of National Museum, New Delhi.