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Untitled (A snake-charmer and his wife)

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Date

c.1830-1835

Description

Opaque watercolour painting on European paper of a snake-charmer and his wife. The snake-charmer plays the magudi (known in North India as punji), almost kneeling before a reared cobra which is expanding his hood. He wears flamboyant attire consisting of short trousers and a long white jama. A red band is tied across his chest and colourful armlets, enlivened by small banners and tassels, enhance his costume. On his head is a large turban decorated with an aigrette and a bunch of fluffy feathers. He wears a number of earrings, bangles and anklets. His forehead is dusted with vibhuti (cow dung ash) and bears a black vertical mark with a tilaka. Near him is a flat round snake basket. His wife, wearing a simple white sari, stands near him carrying a cloth bundle on her left shoulder and a snake basket in the crook of her left arm. She wears magnificent jewellery: elaborate cubic earrings and a thali necklace.

Image Licence

CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Image Credit

Location

India

Country

India

Medium

Watercolour