Miniatures from Central India: Nigam’s Madhumalati by Nandlal
Nandlal wrote and illustrated Madhumalati in 18th century Gwalior, to present a version of Chaturbhujdas Nigam’s original composition dating from the mid-16th century. Madhumalati is an epic tale of amour in versified, vernacular text, singularly rich in folklore. Its story-telling remarkably transforms the incredible into the plausible and entertains the audience even as it critiques social norms. It is impossible to miss its central message of promoting harmony. Madhumalati fearlessly debunks conservatism, pomposity and class distinctions; appealing for avoidance and resolution of conflicts. The miniatures by Nandlal are charmingly illustrative of the narrative. These miniatures are independent of regal patronage and are rendered in a style that marries a popular, folksy oeuvre with the late Malwa-Bundelkhand painterly tradition of 18th century Gwalior (Central India). The illustrated manuscript resounds with the theme of love between Madhukar, the son of a trader (vanika) and Malati, a ksatriya princess.
Contents:
reface and Acknowledgements
Part I
1. Introduction
Provenance of Nandlal’s Madhumalati
The Date of the Manuscript
Glimpses of Life in the World of Madhumalati
The Principal Protagonists
2. The Narrative
Prelude: (10-28)
The Naive Parrot (61-63)
The Tigress and the Blackbuck, the Tiger and the Monkey (67-98, 176-230)
The Owls and the Crows (98-105, 150-153)
The Titodar, the Sea and Garuda (106-132)
The Crow and the Serpent (123-129)
The Swans and the Hunter (157-166)
The Crows Burn Down the Owls’ Abode (168-175)
Krsna and Chandravali
Karan Singh and Padmavati (275-335)
A Dialogue between Madhukar and Malati (337-362)
The Brahmin and the Ungrateful Snake (553-614)
A Mughal and the Oilman’s Wife (658-690)
The Account of Maina’s Sat (699-890, 928-940)
The Trader and His Wife (891-927)
The Cuckoo and the Parakeet (961-1008)
Chandra Kunwar and Ruparekha (1036-1076)
Chandrasen and Madhukar in Conflict (1084-1285)
Mahabharata Stories: Madhumalati version (1297-1424)
The Demon Todi, Hundwa and Bhima (1313-1329)
The Pandavas, Virata and Kichaka (1331-1380)
Bhima Poisoned; Revived in the Serpent World (1382-1424)
Chandrasen and His Ministers (1426-1498)
Urgano and the Serpents Vege and Anvege (1502-1643)
Haridatta, the Raja of Malijjapur (1545-1562)
Urgano (continued; 1563-1578) and Raja Amarasen
Madhumalati Version of Ramayana Heroes (1675-1705)
The Cow and the Lion (1711-1779)
The Wedding and Celebrations (1801-1837)
Epilogue (1875-1889)
3. Madhumalati in Miniatures
Technique
Landscapes
Architecture
Attire and Ornaments
Portraiture
Malati
Heroines, Gods and Goddesses
Battle Scenes
Weddings
Beasts, Birds and Bees
Objects of Everyday Life
The Mysterious Nayika
Odds and Ends
Part II
Colour Plates
Bibliography
Index
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Bibliographic information
Veena Misra