Govardhan Dhari

This painting relates to a popular episode from the Bhagavata Purana where Krishna tries to save the people of Brindavana from the torrential rain that God Indra’s wrath creates. The Basohli artist captures the spirit of the moment by trying to fit the entire situation into a small frame. He lays emphasis on Krishna, cows and the cowherds. The enormous rain and the huge mount Govardhana are made less significant before his divine force. He effortlessly lifts the mount and the artist adds his bit of creativity in making the cowherds partake in the event equally effortlessly.

This event was also linked to another theme by Basohli masters: according to Kshemakarna’s verse (108) of Ragamala (garland of melodies) classification, the music of Jalandhara (ragaputra of Megha) is compared to the sound of clouds and thunder. And verse no: 96 relating to the visual imagery of Jalandhara mentions Krishna lifting Mount Govardhana.