Maharaja Man Singh (1783, r.1803-1843) of Jodhpur
worshipping Jalandharnath
by Jodhpur court artist
circa 1820 CE
Gouache on paper
13.8 x 9.9 in. (35.1 x 25.1 cm.)
Front: “Shri Nathji …?… Shri Man Singhji Jodhpur”
Amid a range of rocky hills surrounded by tributaries of a meandering river is a pristine white marble pavilion, where Jalandharnath is shown at ease. Maharaja Man Singh, who was a devout follower of mahasiddhas, pays his homage to Nath swami by making a pranaam or namaste mudra.
Artist draws a curious amalgamation of various perspectives where landscape can be seen as a mixture of hills and planes, as seen from an aerial perspective, while the central pavilions and figures are depicted as seen from an eye level. A number of small huts of yogis are shown scattered at the foothills.
Jalandharnath and two of his attendants are rendered in soft tones of blue and pale saffron outfits enhance their asceticism. Golden nimbus around Yogi’s face provides him a higher stature.