A depiction of Shri KrishnaÔÇÖs famous Raas Leela with his Gopis, his ardent followers. The Gopis play a very significant role in the life and tales of Krishna. The love that the Gopis had towards him is considered divine and it is believed to be a union of souls, where the Gopis are the soul waiting to blend or merge with the Supreme Soul. Its celebration time and the Gopis are dancing around him.  Krishna, flanked by his followers is seen rendering sweet music from his flute.

There are 10 figures or Avatars of Lord Vishnu drawn on the top and bottom of the picture. It is believed that the Lord Vishnu (a very powerful God of the Hindus) is believed to have been born in 10 different forms to save the earth from evil. The life on Earth has been divided into 4 parts or Yugas and these Avatars have appeared in each Yuga.

Starting from top left ÔÇô

1.      Matsya ÔÇô The lord first appeared as a Fish on the Earth. This is believed to have happened in the Satayuga or the Golden Era. The theory of life beginning in water is what is being symbolised in this.

2.      Koorma ÔÇô The next evolution was the Tortoise (life on land and water). This form is said to have helped the good and evil forces to churn the oceans to bring out the Amrit or the Nectar of Immortality.

3.      Varaha ÔÇô This form was that of the boar (evolution of life on land and animals). This form is believed to have saved Earth from the bottom of the ocean and restored it back into its righful place in the Universe

4.      Narasimha ÔÇô The half-man/ half ÔÇôlion form that again defeats an invincible evil force who has a powerful boon whereby he cannot be killed by man or animal, by day or night, inside or out or by any weapon, living or inanimate.

5.      Vamana ÔÇô The dwarf who came to earth to vanquish the descendant of an evil force. He humbled the king, who had granted him 3 paces of land. The Lord transformed himself to a giant and the first pace was heaven, then earth and then the King offered him his own head.

6.      Parashurama ÔÇô The warrior with an axe. He is a saint warrior who destroyed the Kshatriyas or the warrior caste to avenge the death of his father, who was killed by these people who wanted the holy cow, Kamadheenu.

7.      Rama ÔÇô The heir of Ayodhya who vanquished the mighty Ravana from Sri Lanka to save his wife Sita

8.      Balarama ÔÇô The elder brother of Lord Krishna. He is worshipped as a deity of agriculture and fertility.

9.      Buddha ÔÇô The founder of Buddhism who is depicted as a compassionate teacher and who preached Ahimsa or non violence

10.  Kalki ÔÇô The last and final form of Lord Vishnu who will be a harbinger of peace and good. This is said to the Kaliyuga or the present times when Kalki comes as a saviour atop a white horse and will destroy all evil and filth

Balarama is included as the eighth avatar of Vishnu in the Sri Vaishnava lists, where Buddha is omitted and Krishna appears as the ninth avatar in this list. He particularly included in the lists, where Krishna is removed and becomes the source of all avatars.

The artist has delicately carved motifs as borders.

Art Form ÔÇô Paper mache pattachitra and natural dyes

Material: Paper mache pattachitra, acrylic  and natural dyes

NOTE: This painting's cleaning and dusting should be done with a dry cloth and wipe the surface