Drawing for an Illustration from a Sat Sai of Bihari Lal Series: The Message of the Eyes (recto); Lady in Search of Her Lover on a Dark Night (verso) 1785 - 1790

Curator: Here we have a drawing attributed to Nainsukh, made between 1785 and 1790. It's ink on paper, titled "Drawing for an Illustration from a Sat Sai of Bihari Lal Series: The Message of the Eyes (recto); Lady in Search of Her Lover on a Dark Night (verso)". It's a fascinating work to consider. Editor: My first impression is one of intimacy, despite the somewhat diagrammatic lines. It feels like peering into a private world, a secret encounter suggested rather than fully revealed. Curator: Absolutely. Nainsukh was working in a historical and social context where love, desire, and devotion were heavily codified and performed. How does this imagery relate to notions of agency? How much control does the lady actually have? Editor: I'm struck by the repetition of figures – the group at the bottom, the faces in the window, echoing forms. Could these groups symbolize constraints? Family obligations or social norms weighing on the central figure's yearning? The eyes in the primary title really catch my eye – that must be significant. Curator: Very astute! "The Message of the Eyes," drawn from the Sat Sai poetry tradition, directly challenges Brahmanical tradition, suggesting divine connection is communicated between two souls, not necessarily through ritual. The male gaze is being challenged! Editor: It adds a compelling layer. The drawing feels almost like a stage set, the geometric underpinnings giving structure to an emotionally charged scene. The lack of color only heightens the sense of raw feeling, distilled to its essence. Is the geometric composition important? Curator: The geometric shape may also subtly signify the lens of social or spiritual insight, offering one potential window through which one could view society. Consider how women of this period navigated arranged marriages, complex family relations, and public life— this one can see a portrait of love against all odds. Editor: A valuable reading indeed. And considering the drawing is "recto/verso," hinting at hidden depths and multiple interpretations of feminine pursuit. Ultimately it feels less like a historical artifact and more like a vital fragment of collective longing. Curator: Agreed. It makes us reflect on how women expressed their inner yearnings despite very tight social boundaries. Editor: A beautifully rendered and intensely personal exploration of the female quest and internal thought – a sentiment I think resonates today.