Maharaja Sri Prabh Singhji Entertained in a Garden

Imagine you are approaching this garden. A hypnotic drone of the tanpura (a plucked string instrument) emanates from the royal courtyard. The maharaja and his consort sit under the red canopy in the women’s quarters (zenana), entranced by the beautiful dancer as she strikes her feet to the beats of the drum, her ankle bells adding a delightful accent to the music. With every move, her diaphanous dress and gold waist sash sway, like a delicate flower in the summer breeze. Underfoot lies a large lattice and blossom carpet that extends the pattern of the nearby flower beds. A row of fountains provides a soothing accompaniment to the music. Surrounding the garden ensemble is a dense growth of banana trees, mango trees, and palms. The teeming wildlife—langur monkeys, peacocks, egrets, and smaller birds—animates this already lively scene. The mélange of colors, textures, sounds, and smells heightens the sensuous pleasure and enchantment of the moment.