Chitrini Nayika, page from a Rasikapriya (Handbook for Poetry Connoisseurs)

Seated on a yellow floral carpet and against a large, cylindrical gold pillow decorated with purple irises is a female figure. She is known as a chitrini nayika, or a heroine gifted in the arts of music, poetry, singing, and/or dancing. Here, the heroine is shown playing a tumbi, a type of string instrument. She wears a long, sea foam green dress with gold decoration, a translucent green shawl that is draped around her body, earrings, bracelets, and a necklace. Behind her is a female attendant with a pink dress and gold decoration, a pink translucent shawl, and adorned with jewelry. In her right hand, she carries a white scarf, a symbol of the nayika’s royal status. In front of the nayika are three other female attendants. One in a pink dress kneels and pours liquid into a small cup. One in a white dress carries a gold box encrusted with jewels in her left hand. The third attendant, dressed in yellow, carries a tray of roses. The figures are gathered on a white terrace that overlooks a large pond with ducks that weave through large lotus pads, blossoms, and buds. In the background is a vast and rolling landscape with a white structure on the left. Below the terrace are four white niches filled with plants with pink and purple blossoms. Pahari School, Kangra Style.