Mahakuta in the southern India state of Karnataka is a lesser known treasure house of exquisite Hindu temples built between the 6th-7th CE. These temples were constructed by the early kings of the Chalukya dynasty of Badami.
It was an extremely warm day when I stopped to get directions at the bus station which also served as a general information booth. I met this young girl selling little earthenware pots of homemade cool buttermilk. This was simply delicious made from the local buffalo milk that tasted like ice cream ; I very rapidly consumed 3 or 4 such pots and just had to chuck each 100% recyclable earthen pot into the patch of green .
There were a few people waiting for the local bus and I noted they were pulling this young woman’s leg in a good-natured manner. A shy smile lit up and transformed her face, the memory of which I had to bring to the canvas.
It appears that she was a local lass born in Mahakuta and had been married only 3 weeks ago. I noticed she proudly displayed the special necklace called the Mangalsutra worn by all traditional Hindu women signifying they are married, the equivalent of a wedding ring in the West. She was being teased about why she was back selling buttermilk within 3 weeks of marriage; did her husband not keep her busy enough?!
She giggled with outraged delight.
Original: Oil on canvas ; 12x 16″ (305x 410mm); framed
Limited Edition Print : Available as Giclee print on finest quality paper or canvas. International shipment
Sizes available: 8 x 12″(203 x 305 mm); 12 x 16″(305 x 410mm); 18 x 24″(457 x 610 mm); 24 x 32″ (610 x 813mm)
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Will post rolled up in a tube with Certificate of Authenticity, number of the print and artist’s signature.
