An Adaptation of the poem 'Veena nu Mrug'

In this painting, Raja Ravi Varma has adapted the poem 'Veena Nu Mrug' written by the Gujarati poet 'Kalapi' (1874-1900). Kalapi was the pen name of Sursinghji, the Prince of Lathi, near Bhavnagar, son of Jakhatsinghji. The poem is based on the premise that 'the true value of art is understood through its audience.' In the poem, the protagonist plays the Veena and her music attracts the mrug (deer) which becomes her faithful listener. When the hunter kills the deer, he inadvertently kills the music in her. Raja Ravi Varma, in this picture has replaced the deer with a bird without deviating from the gist of the poem.