Painting depicting a walled courtyard with open-arcaded palace buildings on the right and left, with a pale blue-sky backdrop. On the left Sher Singh sits on a high gold throne, surrounded by rows of courtiers who watch dancers and musicians. Some instruments include drums, finger-cymbals, castanets and a harp. The painting has a floral decorated border.
AKM202, Musicians and Dancers performing before Sher Singh (1807-1843)

© The Aga Khan Museum

Back of painting, cream coloured paper.
AKM202, Musicians and Dancers performing before Sher Singh (1807-1843), Back

© The Aga Khan Museum

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Musicians and Dancers performing before Sher Singh (1807-1843)
  • Accession Number:AKM202
  • Place:India, Amritsar
  • Dimensions:18.2 cm × 35.3 cm
  • Date:1874
  • Materials and Technique:Opaque watercolour and gold on paper

Completed some thirty years after the death of the ruler shown seated on a golden throne on the left, this painting memorializes an event at his court. It depicts four women dancing to music performed by a small orchestra of tablas (drums), kasyas (finger-cymbals), sarangis (stringed instruments played with a bow), castanets, and other instruments.

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