Lady with Hookah

Her hair is pulled back to reveal a wide forehead and to show the tika (traditional Indian head jewelry) in all its glory. The focus of the painting lies towards the upper half of the figure, the maximum emphasis being on the finely chiselled features, and the sharp pointed nose, beneath which are two tightly pursed virgin lips.

The gaze of the viewer is irresistibly drawn towards the bosom of this lady. These soft, milky, mushroom textured mounds fill to the brim, the light colored diaphanous material they are draped in. This material is transparent enough to provide the viewer a glimpse of the well-defined nipples.

Adding to the sensuous quality of the artwork is the bared midriff with the scarcely visible navel where the shawl like garment is shown tucked in.

The painting is elaborately bordered in the true Mughal tradition. The outer most flowery border is embossed with 24 karat gold and decorated with intertwined flower patterns. The innermost border is decorated with cut glasswork, stuck on to the paper by the artist using a tedious process.

This work is the creation of Mohan Lal Soni, a contemporary maestro of the Mughal school. He was awarded the National award by the President of India in 1983.

This descripion by Nitin Kumar, Executive Editor, Exotic India.