Lady with a Hookah

There is nothing inessential or inexpressive in this painting. The figure is quite clearly a specific portrait and one senses the interaction of the figure across empty space. It comes across as a flesh and blood quality. Wearing light coloured clothes, enhancing the gem studded ostentatious ornaments, she sits with a royal poise, speaking of a well-bred lineage. She wears jewellery on every part of her body – literally from head to toe – starting from the 'shingar patti' to the rings on the toes of her feet. The twists and folds of her loose garments are cleverly worked out by shading in various tones.

The uncluttered background maintains the serenity of the entire painting. The huqqa with a long, rolled up pipe is the only accessory in the background. The artist has given a bright tone to the foreground but that fails to supercede the sober effect, though the reds and the greens compliment the gems studded in her jewellery.