Thursday, July 15, 2010

Holi festival, a nobleman watching the celebrations--Artist: unknown Medium: Watercolour Date: 1795

Holi festival, a nobleman watching the celebrations

Holi festival, a nobleman watching the celebrations
Watercolour drawing showing the Holi festival, by an anonymous artist working in the Patna school, c. 1795-1800. Inscribed on the back of the drawing is: 'No.4. The Gift of E.E. Pote Esqr. Elizath Collins. This is a Hindoo Festival celebrated, among other sports, by throwing a red powder enclosed in globes of Lak which break instantly and cover the party with the Powder - this is immediately returned - and thus by partial and promiscuous peltings - the whole Party are entirely covered with the red Powder. The Powder is also put in Water, and the Assembly attack each other with squirts filled with the red water - by the time the Party break up', 'they are so disfigured as scarce to be known'; also' The Festival of the Hoolee.'

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