Venugopala or Venu-Maadhav is a heavenly aspect of Sri Krishna, blowing sweet melodies in his Venu or flute and becoming a source of nourishment for the residents of Vrindavan. Standing under the shade of a tree populated by animals and birds who flock to listen to the music of Venu, Krishna in this Tanjore painting is in his adolescence, innocent and charming to behold. He is beautifully attired from head to toe and has a colorful floral garland framing his graceful Tribhanga or triple bent pose.
Four gopis, carrying musical instruments, garland, and Makhan (butter) surround Krishna, offering pleasantries to him and asking him to continue playing his Venu for them. The Veena in the hand of the Gopi on the right and the violin carried by the one on the left, are representative of the cultures of East and West respectively, telling the tale of Thanjavur’s journey, in which the artwork picked iconographic and cultural influences from around the world, to narrate the stories of India.
Symbolism in this Tanjore artwork is profound and beautiful. The cow and calf in the background, with the cow licking Krishna’s foot as a sign of her affection and the calf drinking her milk create an image of affection and devotion. The pitch-black backdrop is a a symbol of Krishna’s omnipresence as well, who has been often compared to the dark bumblebee, in terms of his ethereal beauty and lovely black form.
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