A Yogini with Myna

Following the spread of the Bhakti Movement (16th and 17th centuries)  in the Deccan, the  miniature art tradition came to include women as not just wives or consorts of rulers, courtiers, but also as Yoginis– female ascetics renouncing the world for a spiritual path.  

In this painting, a yogini  stands against a dark and sombre background and has a bejeweled topknot. She stands holding a myna (blackbird) in her right hand and a pointed tool in her left. The background and corners of the painting are slightly impaired necessitating conservation efforts.