Untitled (Krishna Fluting)

Description

Acquired from the artist; subsequently held in private collections and featured in major international auctions including Christie's and Bonhams.

Historical context

In this evocative work, Manjit Bawa breathes life into the eternal myth of Krishna, the divine cowherd. Eschewing the cluttered landscapes of traditional miniature painting, Bawa places his subjects against a vast, luminous field of saturated yellow: a space that feels both infinite and intimate. This yellow is more than a color; it is a radiant light that dissolves the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual realms. Krishna is depicted not as a distant god, but as a gentle youth whose flute play creates a sanctuary of peace. The cows, painted with soft, rounded contours and a sense of profound gentleness, lean in toward the music, their expressions reflecting a quiet ecstasy. Bawa’s work is deeply rooted in the Sufi and Bhakti traditions, where the relationship between the musician and his audience becomes a metaphor for the soul's longing for the divine. The lack of shadows and the focus on pure, fluid linework creates a sense of suspended time, inviting the viewer to lose themselves in the silent melody of the canvas.