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by the present-day women of Rajasthan. The black-bodice, exposing the breasts partly is a typical vogue prevalent in this part of the country. The loose and plaited 'coti', pigtail, gives a rhythmic accent to the movement of the figure. GEOMETRICAL PATTERN: A continuation of the age-old tradition right from the pre-historic geometrical patterns to the present-day decorations-mural as well as architectural seen at Nagaur and Jaisalmer. The use of parallelogram, hexagram and the sixpetalled flower motif, is excellently made to create an interesting interlude in the scheme of decoration at Nagaur. The colours used are primitive red-ochre,
terraverte and indigo. 45. CIRCLES AND FLOWERS:
Another example of geometric pattern wherein the use of semi-circles and a
flower motif (palās) is made. 46. FLYING FIGURES:
Another beautiful piece of ceiling painting with the same motifs of birds, phoenix, parrots, attendants with wine-flasks and bunches of grapes in their
hands. An excellent and pleasing contrast of darks against light back-ground. 47. BATHING AND TOILET:
In this vertical composition, the painter has pictorialised the two scenes simultaneously. In the lower portion of the fresco a princess is shown bathing in a water-pool, assisted by two maid-servants. The bathing beauty is half hidden behind a little balcony--a clever pictorial foil used by the artist to avoid the public gaze on this privacy. In the top portion of the frescoe a toilet scene is presented. The lady is doing her hair sitting on a hillock under the shade of a mango tree. She is looking at her face in a mirror held in front of her by her 'dāsi’. At her back is a 'Cāmaravāhini', a choury-bearer ready to whisk away the flies. In the background is a marble pavilion surrounded by the groves of trees, for the lady's siesta. The painting is typically Indian in narrating in traditional manner an incident of daily life.
48. MANGO-GATHERERS:
An unusual subject chosen by the artist. Perhaps he was inspired to paint this subject by the bevy of beauties surrounding a mango tree in fruition.
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