Accession Number
1975/2.151

Title
Mahâbhârata series: Warriors in conference

Artist(s)
Artist Unknown, India, Maharashtra, Paithan School

Object Creation Date
early 19th century - mid 19th century

Medium & Support
ink and opaque watercolor on paper

Dimensions
10 3/4 in x 16 1/4 in (27.31 cm x 41.28 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Leo S. Figiel and Dr. and Mrs. Steven J. Figiel.

Label copy
This painting, along with two others shown in the gallery, is a double-sided folio from an illustrated series of scenes from the Mahâbhârata, an important ancient Indian epic. Paintings of this type are known as Paithan paintings, after the town where they were discovered in the twentieth century. Such works are large in scale and exceptionally bold in style. A narrator or assistant would have held up the painting for an audience to view while the narrator recited the text.
This scene depicts an episode from the fifth book of the Mahâbhârata, in which the rival Pandava and the Kaurava clans are vying for the throne of Hastinapura. Yudhishthir, the leader of the Pandavas and the original heir to the throne, was forced into exile after losing a game of dice with the leader of the Kauravas. When he sought to reclaim the throne, the Kauravas, led by Duryodhana, refused to negotiate, and the two sides met in council to prepare for battle.
Spring/Summer Gallery Rotation 2015
 

Subject matter
This scene depicts an episode from the fifth book of the Mahâbhârata, in which the rival Pandava and the Kaurava clans are vying for the throne of Hastinapura. Yudhishthir, the leader of the Pandavas and the original heir to the throne, was forced into exile after losing a game of dice with the leader of the Kauravas. When he sought to reclaim the throne, the Kauravas, led by Duryodhana, refused to negotiate, and the two sides met in council to prepare for battle.

Physical Description
Large image painted with bold blues, reds, greens and yellows. Illustrates seven figures; three on the left half and four on the right. Several of the figures are pinching some sort of food substance. The figures that are closest to the right and left edges of the image also are holding weapons.

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
figure painting

Additional Object Classification(s)
Bound Work

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
figures (illustrations)
wars