VARMA 2024.270

This image depicts Damayanti, a central figure in the Vana Parva (Book of the Forest) of the Mahābhārata, whose story is notable for its interplay between divine intervention and human agency. Daughter of the king of Vidarbha, Damayanti is known for her unwavering love for Prince Nala of Nishadha, a union initiated through the swan Hans (or Hamsa) who acts as a divine messenger between them. In this scene, Damayanti is shown in a moment of reflection, alluding to the early stages of her story when she first hears of Nala through the swan. The oleograph closely resembles Ravi Varma’s 1899 painting Damayanti. In this version, the heroine is beautifully adorned with a vibrant pink fabric and silver zardozi.