By The Unnaturally Quiet River

It is in the dead of night that the divine lovers meet. The full moon is high in the sky, shining down on their togetherness as they cling to each other, seated on the dew-drenched grass. They are under a tree with luscious, flowery sprigs descending upon them. The stream in the foreground is exceptionally quiet, perhaps out of chaste reserve inspired by the nearby sounds of passionate intimacy. Till the verdant mounds as far as the eye could see, there is not a single source of aural disharmony.

The entire range of Radha-Krishna’s amorous experience is a popular subject with Indian painters and sculptors. This watercolour, painted with as much shraddha (devotion) as skill, captures the timeless lovers in the throes of uncontrollable emotion. Lord Krishna draws back Radha against Himself, and tilts Her sweet head back such that their mouths are on the verge of meeting. In turn, She clutches at His black curls in order to draw Him closer, resisting Her Lord being beyond Her nature.

The only sounds other than those of desire are the rustling of His yellow silk dhoti and the soft friction of Her shringar as He motions Her. Their eyes are unshut - they are looking into each other’s through the dusk of the hour, as alluring as the unmistakable colour of His skin.