TSM Accession: P-4182
Pleach No: PIF/000DMP60
Title: A Man receiving food from a Begum (Laila-Majnu)
Style: Deccani Miniature
Artist: Unknown
Medium: Water colour on paper
Dimensions: 37 x 22 cms
Period: 20th Century CE
Rights: Telangana State Archaeological Museum, Hyderabad
Documented by: Pleach India Foundation, Hyderabad
This Deccani miniature depicts a scene from the legendary love story of Laila and Majnu.
The emaciated figure of Majnu, clad only in a loincloth, sits beneath a tree. Despite his physical state, a sense of wilderness surrounds him, a tiger rests beside him, a parrot perches on his shoulder, and various animals (dogs, deer, and rabbits) inhabit the scene. Two women, presumably Laila and a servant, approach Majnu with offerings of fruit and food. Laila, adorned in a regal golden robe, pearl necklaces, and a lotus-shaped crown, sits before him. The vibrant scene unfolds amidst a verdant landscape, with a creatively depicted tree standing tall on a green hill. A meticulously crafted golden border embellishes the painting.
Preserving this exquisite artistic legacy necessitates conservation efforts, particularly due to damage evident in the background and corners of the painting.