Govardhanlalji performing Aarti on the day of Chunri Gangaur
by Ghasiram Hardev Sharma (1868-1930)
Nathdwara
dated 1904
Opaque watercolour and gold on paper
13.50 x 10.25 in. (34.3 x 26 cm.)
The festival of Gangaur lasting 16 days is celebrated with great pomp by the people of Nathdwara in the month of Chaitra. This festival is celebrated as Hari Gangaur where green is a predominant colour. For Chunri Gangaur all decorations and attires have a predominance of chunris and for Gulabi Gangaur pink is the predominant colour of the painting.
In this painting by Ghasiram Hardev Sharma, Shrinathji’s attire is made from a red chunri. The backdrop is also of a chunri. Govardhanlalji is shown performing aarti while another Gossainji holds a fan. Inscribed at the bottom is:
“1960 Chaitra Sudi 7. Tha. Lalji Khimji ni Vidhva Gangabai. Haste Harjeevandas Bajaria
Chitera Ghasiram Hardev
Shrinath Dwaraji, Navi Haveli”