Studies in Indian Art c12.s6.20

c12.s6.20

5. *Madanotsava*,—Dance of Love. On pillar No. B. 92 in the Lucknow museum we see a female figure dancing in one of her happy love ecstasies. A parrot who is the vehcil of the god of love, Kāmadeva, has conveyed to her the message of love, thus initiating the youthful maiden into the consciousness of a new world. Like the princess in the fable she wakes up after a long spell of maidenly innocence, and the intense activity of her heart bursts forth into rhythmic dance. The bird is perched on her girdle and is shown to be nibbling at the central binding knot. The whole idea is most delicately and beautifully executed.