Women in the world
Women make up half of humanity. They play an important role in running human affairs. Indian culture gives a lot of importance to women as they have different roles to play. Women are also seen enjoying themselves. Work and play both find a place in a woman's life.
Women at work
Women ensure quality of life in the family. They are mother, wife, leader and administrator as well. The woman in the family also contributes to the family income through her own earning.
Let us see 'Women in Art' in her different roles and moods in this exhibit!
The Salar Jung Museum collection
The museum has depictions in both miniature and modern painting, sculptures and statues in different media like bronze and marble, porcelain figurines, in textiles as well.
A masterpiece 'Veiled Rebecca' is the shy bride of Isaac, in marble, from Italy, dated to 19th century.
Mother and child (1901/1999)Salar Jung Museum
Mother and child
An important role of a woman as 'mother' is shown in this European sculpture. She is depicted cradling her child in her arms, an artwork from England, dated to the 20th century.
Queen Chandbibi hunting
Sultana Chand Bibi (1550–1599 CE) was an Indian ruler and warrior. She acted as the Regent of Bijapur Sultanate and regent of Ahmednagar Sultanate. In this Deccani painting from the 19th century, she is seen hunting.
Two women (1900/1999)Salar Jung Museum
Two women
An exquisite modern painting representing two women one holding a lamp and the other a lotus, probably preparing for worship, flowering plants are in background, from India, dated to the 20th century.
On the swing (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum
On the swing
Two friends on a swing in the monsoon season enjoying themselves, their hair flying. They are attired in colourful clothes and jewellery, wearing mahawar, a red lac dye on their hands, a Deccani painting from the 19th century.
Portrait of princess writing a love letter (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum
Woman in love
A beautiful princess is depicted writing a love letter. She is sitting in a marbled terrace with a bolster, with flowering trees growing in the background. Her attendant is standing behind her with a flywhisk, this is a Guler/Kangra painting, dated to the 19th century.
Stolen Interview (1848/1906) by Raja Ravi VarmaSalar Jung Museum
Meeting the lover
This painting by Raja Ravi Varma from the 19th century is titled "Stolen Interview". We see the woman who is holding a flower in her hand, dressed impeccably, meeting her lover in secret.
Lady Lighting a Lamp Lady Lighting a Lamp (20th Century) by Abdur Rahman ChughtaiSalar Jung Museum
Lady lighting a lamp
A painting by Abdur Rehman Chughtai depicts a woman lighting a lamp as dusk happens. The whole painting is immersed in a mesmerising glow. The painting was made in the 20th century by this famous artist.
A group of workers (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum
Sharing the load
Women at a construction site seen helping in buiding a bund next to a flowing river, a 19th century painting from Mysore. A nobleman from the court is overseeing the work.
Disappointed (1848/1906) by Raja Ravi VarmaSalar Jung Museum
'Disappointed'
This painting by Raja Ravi Varma from the 19th century, depicts a married lady 'disappointed' after receiving some news through the letter she is holding in her hand. The forlorn expression with tears on her face is that of woman who is missing her beloved.
A bright sparkle (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
A bright sparkle
This painting shows a princess doing sparklers standing on a beautiful terrace, on the occasion of the Festival of Lights' or Diwali, from Deccan, dated to the 18th century.
Listening to music (1700/1799)Salar Jung Museum
Listening to music
This exquisite miniature painting from the Deccan from the 18th century, shows a royal lady being entertained by a lady musician who is offering her a wine cup as well. The scene is that of delight and ease, the backdrop is green with trees and a grassy lawn.
Mother and child (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum
Mother and child
An interesting carving of a 'mother with her child', made from horn, standing on a painted ivory base. Key pattern enhances the pedestal, from Japan, dated to the 19th century.
Women playing Bathukamma (1900/1999)Salar Jung Museum
Women playing 'Bathukamma'
Painted clay group of twelve figurines of Indian women wearing sarees standing in a circular platform around a table and playing Bathukamma, the state festival of the Indian state of Telangana, from Hyderabad, dated to the20th century.
Village lady (1900/1999)Salar Jung Museum
Village lady
Village lady with two water pots; she holds one on her waist and the other in her left hand. She is draped in a saree of two colours and a wrap covers her head. She is wearing jewellery on her ears, neck, hands and ankles, made from clay, from India, dated to the 20th century.
Nobelwomen on elephants (1900/1999)Salar Jung Museum
On elephants
A painting which depicts six noble-women on the back of three elephants by the side of a tree, one is holding a fly-whisk. Elephants have very long tails, the group is on an expedition, artwork from Rajasthan, dated to the 20th century.
Dancing lady
A painting representing a dancing girl holding her skirt in both her hands with a multicoloured halo behind for backdrop, sign and swastika mark at lower right corner, modern painting, from India, 20th century.
Text and Curation : Soma Ghosh
Photography : M. Krishnamurthy and Bahadur Ali
Research Assistance : Dinesh Singh and E. Rajesh
Special Thanks to Dr. A. Nagender Reddy, Director, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India.
References -
1.https://www.britannica.com/art/Deccani-painting (accessed 03.03.2023)
2.https://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/family/role-of-women-in-the-family-and-society/47638 (accessed 03.03.2023)
3. Daljeet, Dr.| Ragachitra: Deccani Ragamala painting, 2014.
