A cremation ground, a barren land echoing with horrifying sounds, a far off solitary river bank, or an abandoned and worn out castle which is known to have consumed all its dwellers were considered as the appropriate sites for invoking these spirits. They were believed to remain active the hour of sunset to late midnight. Hence, those who sought to appease these spirits invoked them only after sunset scheduling the hour of their worship when the spirit they sought to invoke was known to become active.
The figure portrayed here relates to a charmer seeking to invoke spirits to his errand beside a solitary riverbank. He might be invoking some spirit related to rivers and waters. He holds a cask of wine in both his hands and is in readiness to pour its contents to make his offerings. He is in a meditative posture apparently commemorating the spirit he is seeking to invoke. The sun has set and the sky is tinted with blood red. Charmers were known to wear a black or green robe or costume. The artist has preferred to clad his figure in green but with a typical Turkey cap. He has deep meditative eyes, long moustaches and a naturally grown beard. Save a string of beads and an amulet he does not have any other ornaments. His gown has a typical round pocket, which seems to have another string of black beads.
This description by Prof. P.C. Jain and Dr Daljeet. Prof. Jain specializes on the aesthetics of ancient Indian literature. Dr Daljeet is the chief curator of the Visual Arts Gallery at the National Museum of India, New Delhi. They have both collaborated on numerous books on Indian art and culture.
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