Khaka of Tilkayat Govardhanlalji
by Unknown Artist
Nathdwara
circa 1900
Ink on handmade paper
14 x 10.5 in. (35.6 x 26.7 cm.)
Khaka is a line drawing on paper in which tiny perforations are made using a needle. Whenever a copy of a particular painting has to be made the khaka is placed on paper and a muslin bag filled with fine charcoal powder is dusted over it, so that the impression percolates down to the paper. This gave an outline for the copy of the painting. This particular technique was adopted to make multiple copies of the same painting with minor changes in colour and other elements.
As seen in this drawing after multiple use of this thin paper, the Khaka has become crumpled.