Artwork Page for The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Eleventh Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)

Details / Information for The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Eleventh Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)

The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Eleventh Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)

c. 1560

Banavari 2

(Indian, active 1550s-1590s)
View all records in artwork set
Culture
Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)
Medium
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Measurements
Painting only: 7.7 x 10.1 cm (3 1/16 x 4 in.); Overall: 20.1 x 13.6 cm (7 15/16 x 5 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry 1962.279.87.a
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

Two painters named Banavari are known to have been active during the Akbar period.

Description

When the lover of the ocean—the sun—entered his place of retirement in the west and the beloved of the stars— the moon—came out of the bride’s apartment in the east, Khujasta with eyes wet like the sea and tears like brilliant gems went to Tuti to ask his permission to leave. . . .
Eleven days and nights have come and gone since Khujasta fell for a local prince. Each night, having prepared herself for a lovers’ rendezvous, her husband’s pet parrot has beguiled her into staying up all night listening to his stories at home. On this night, he tells her that it is good that she has sought his advice on going out, for “[Anyone] who seeks counsel in regard to his affairs and secures advice on his problems will see exactly what the Brahman saw.”
Unable to stem her curiosity, she asks the parrot what he saw.
A vertically oriented painting in gum tempera and ink on paper features rows of black calligraphy framed by gold borders. Below, a woman in a floral orange skirt gestures toward a green parrot in a red cage. To her left, an interior room holds a red bed. Pink buildings and stylized trees under a night sky are defined by fine lines. Repetitive geometric patterns and floral motifs decorate the floor, walls, and garments throughout.

The Parrot Addresses Khujasta at the Beginning of the Eleventh Night, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot)

c. 1560

Banavari 2

(Indian, active 1550s-1590s)
Mughal India, court of Akbar (reigned 1556–1605)

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork