Guler Workshop
Pandit seu by Nainsukh
Guler was Native place of Tarkhan-chitera (Carpenter-painter). Hasnu was probably first painter of guler workshop beside that he was brahmin. Hasnu's son Pandit seu (1680-1740) attached to the court of Dilip Singh (1695-1741) of guler. Pandit seu seems to have travelled outside hills or at least have to contact with late mughal manner painters. Pandit seu painted "Small Guler Ramayana Series" with 39 paintings. it's only Aranya-parva, Kiskindha-kanda and sudar-kanda survive, now in Lahore museum, Chandigarh museum and Zurich museum. However we never know about rest of two kandas Bala and Ayodhya.
Yuddha-kanda or "siege of Lanka series" painted by Manaku, elder son of Pandit seu about 1720. Unfortunately this series never complete. Presently 40 folios (Include 9 Paintings, 3 Partly painted, 28 Drawings) are known now in CSMVS (Mumbai), Museum of fine arts (Boston), Metropolitan museum of art, British museum and Cleveland museum of art.
Manaku as head of Workshop
Manaku of guler
(National museum, new Delhi)
Manaku (1700-1760) was great painter and he also join the guler court where he learned about Hindu mythology by pandit Dinamani raina. In 1730, Manaku illustrated one of the great series, first time in Punjab hills, gita govinda with 150 paintings very similar with Rasamanjari series.
After The Ramayana and Gita govinda, Manaku work on new manuscript Bhagavata purana dated about 1740-45 now in majority part in Rajasthan oriental research institute (Jodhpur). This Bhagavata purana was probably painted for govardhan chand (1741-1773). In his Bhagavata purana, some early paintings (First skandha) are in "classical style" and later are in "New style".
Raja govardhan chand of guler, ca. 1770
(Museum of fine arts, Boston)
B. N. Goswamy published monograph on Manaku and reconstruct his paintings as text sequel and Drawings as collection. So here reference of paintings and Drawings are given as
B. N. Goswamy's 'Manaku of guler' with some additional folios which appear after monograph. (Following number highest as inscribed in each skandha, Not all paintings are traceable)
1. Chapters 19 - C48 bear painting no. 14 and after that B6, B7 and B162 are come so first skandha contain 17 paintings.
2. Chapters 10 - No paintings survive.
3. Chapters 33 - painting bear no. 50 (Allahabad museum, unpublished) + B35 & B166 so at least contain 52 painting.
4. chapters 31 - c82 bear no. 155 + B161 so at least 156 paintings.
17 + 52 + 156 = 225 paintings
5. Chapters 26 - B267 Numbered 153
6. Chapters 19 - B290 Numbered 120
7. Chapters 15 - B216 numbered 104
8. Chapters 24 - B244 numbered 228
9. Chapters 24 - B208 Numbered 399
(However numbered painting from chapter 13 (out of 24) so it is difficult to track down last Drawing)
153 +120 + 104 + 228 + 399 = 1004 Drawings
225 Paintings + 1004 Drawings = 1229 folios
Manaku painted Many series with subseries like story of Varaha, Dhurva, prithu, prachetas, Kurma avatar, Matsya avatar, Gajendra Moksha, Naraka, Rudra-charit and kalanemi.
Vishnu attacks on kalanemi, who later reborn as kamsa.
(San Diego museum of art)
Manaku another series was ashwa-shastra. After that some individual paintings found but later we nothing know about Manaku.
1. Kama (upper side, Lahore museum)
2. Godhu (low side, Lahore museum)
3. Khusala (National museum, Delhi)
Manaku has two son, Fattu and Khusal. Manaku's Bhagavata purana continue by his own sons most specifically Fattu under influence of Nainsukh (Son of pandit seu) with his two sons Kama and Godhu. Shiva-parvati painting now in Philadelphia museum of art has inscription that "Khusala painted 20 folios and give to kama". So there are closely related with each other and establish new style of paintings.
Ascribed note of Khusala
(Philadelphia museum of art)
Fattu and his Dasamskandha
Fattu (ca. 1725-1785, फत्तू not फट्टू) visit Haridwara with Nainsukh's son Godhu (ca. 1740-1820) in A.D. 1778. Fattu note that he came with godhu to immersion of the ashes of nainsukh in ganga and also mentioned 'Raja Amrit pal of basohli'.
Raja Amrit pal of Basohli
(LACMA museum)
Fattu as like his father has deep sense about Hindu mythology which found in 10 and 11 skandha of Bhagavata Manuscript. This Manuscript Known as "Fifth Large Guler-Basohli Bhagavata purana series".
Last page of Third chapter which contain nine colophons from chapter 25 to 33
(Allahabad museum, verso)
Manaku's series only contain text, colophon(s) of chapter(s) and number of painting.
Verso of Fattu's series
(Philadelphia museum of art)
While fattu's Manuscript contain selected Sanskrit verses with number, Painting number, Adhyaya number, gurumukhi one line with number, folio number and often shloka number with red-blank ink colophons by (two ?) scriber.
"The small Bhagavata purana" was illustrated by Manaku with help of his son fattu who trained under his father. Here, Four paintings of "Rudra-charit" section may can attributed to Fattu.
Like his father he also painted sub-series like Brahma outwit series, Rasalila, Theft of syamantaka gem and pradhyumna episode.
One More Interesting fact is that After Fattu's Bhagavata, Another painted manuscript of Bhagavata prepare which attributed to Khusala (son of Manaku) and Godhu (son of nainsukh) in Guler - Kangra style majority subject of paintings are same as Fattu's manuscript which also known as "Mody Bhagavata" now in National museum (new Delhi), Bharat Kala bhavan (Varanasi) and Lahore museum (Pakistan). Paintings are same in Both manuscript are as following :
- Gods pay visit to Vishnu
- Marriage of Vasudeva
- Kamsa try to kill Baby-girl
- Exchange of Babies
- Krishna uprooted trees
- On road of vrindavan
- Krishna kill Bakasura
- Krishna kill Agasura
- Krishna picnic
- Brahma hide Cowherds
- Brahma pay homage to Krishna
- Krishna alive his friends
- Submission of kaliya
- Krishna save his friends from fire
- Krishna hold Govardhan
- Indra pay homage to Krishna
- Krishna show heaven to people
- Jala-krida
- salvation of sudarshan
- Akrura's vision
- Dinner party at mathura
- Krishna kill elephant
It is very easy to Connect both manuscripts of bhagavata by manaku and Fattu. both has many similarities like architecture, Gods and mythological scene.
List of paintings
- Earth-cow appear to Brahma
(Art Market)
Present painting (probably first of Manuscript) depict episode of earth-cow harassed by demons so she went and request to Brahma to save her. Here Brahma seated with sages when earth-cow come to meet him. Artist also painted green background, golden curtain and yellow carpet with red flowers. Faces of each sages are individual from each other.
- Earth-cow and gods visit to Vishnu
(Published by W. G. Archer)
Same version of "Mody Bhagavata" now in National museum, new Delhi.
- Marriage of vasudev and devaki
(British library)
Present painting depict Marriage of Vasudev and devaki. Artist painted sacrificial pavilion in which Vasudev and devaki sit down and three priests perform marriage rituals. Devaki is cover with golden sari. While Vasudev is look to younger. We also can see two doorkeepers at both sides.
Same version from Khusala series prevent in Horst Metzger.
(San Diego museum of art)
This painting depicted the episode when Narada warn kamsa about Vasudev and his children so kamsa kill all six children of Vasudev. In garden, we can see Narada warn kamsa and then he kill six children of Vasudev. We also can see kamsa imprisoned his father and became king.
However This painting is not by Fattu. maybe by some his assistant come from outside of guler. Style of work is Garhwal or Hindur-Nalagarh. Many paintings of present series done by Fattu's assistant. One must note that The backside colophons are always very rough, when this Garhwal style paintings are come.
- Gods pay homage to foetal Krishna
(Chester Beatty Library)
This probably no. 8 .
- Vasudeva cross yamuna, no. 9
(Art Market)
Present painting depict episode of Vasudeva crossing river yamuna to save his child Krishna from evil king kamsa. Ananta-shesanag save child from rain. Other side Devaki is sleeping and Guards are also sleeping.
- Exchange of babies, no. 10
(Kapoor gallery)
Vasudeva cross yamuna and reach gokula. Head of Gokula village was nanda and his wife yasoda also pregnant. Vasudeva exchange his boy with newborn girl of nanda and returned to mathura at night.
Same version of from second mody Bhagavata prevent into Bharat Kala bhavan.
Verso
- Kamsa try to kill yogamaya, no. 11
(Art Market)
In this painting, courtier brought news about newborn girl to the sleeping kamsa. Kamsa snatched newborn girl from devaki and try to kill her but suddenly girl changed into the great goddess. Devi warn kamsa and disappear.
Same episode painted in "Mody Bhagavata"
- Kamsa ask forgiveness to vasudeva and devaki, no. 12 (Art Market)
In present painting kamsa ask forgiveness to his sister. Later he discuss in court about to find krishna.
Death of putana
(National Museum, Scotland)
Present painting show putana, a lady sent by kamsa to kill child, is killed by baby Krishna.
Mody Bhagavata version prevent in Bharat Kala Bhavan.
- Naming ceremony of Krishna and Balarama
(collection of Ludwig habighorst)
Gargacharya give name Krishna to newborn baby of yasoda and give name Balarama to son of Rohini (wife of vasudeva who live in Gokula). In side pavilion hall gargacharya perform the yagna ceremony.
Same painting version prevent in Punjab museum, Patiala.
- First walking of Krishna
(National museum, Scotland)
This painting is probably first walking of Krishna and Balarama.
- The revel, Numbered 26 (?)
(V & A Museum)
In present painting, cowboys distribute the butter each other and enjoying.
- Salvation of Nalakuvera and manigriva
No. 32 (kapoor gallery)
Same version of mody Bhagavata prevent in state museum, Lucknow.
Verso
- Nanda release Krishna from mortar
(Art Market)
- Krishna went toward vrindavan
(Rietberg museum)
Same version of mody Bhagavata prevent in National museum, New Delhi.
- Krishna kill bakasura
(Art market)
Khusala's version prevent in National museum, New Delhi.
- Krishna enter in mouth of aghasura
(Art Market)
version of Mody Bhagavata prevent into the Bharat Kala Bhavan.
- Krishna picnic with cowherds
(Los Angeles county museum of art)
Same episode painted in Mody Bhagavata.
- Brahma hides Cow and cowherds
No. 49 (Cleveland museum of art)
Same episode also painted in mody Bhagavata.
Verso
- Krishna outwits Brahma, no. 50
(Yale art gallery).
This painting done by Fattu's assistant.
Verso
- Brahma prays Krishna, no. 54
(Museum of fine arts, Boston)
This painting also done by Fattu's assistant.
- Brahma pay homage to Krishna
(San Diego museum of art)
Same episode painted in Mody Bhagavata series.
- Brahma return, no. 56
(Cleveland museum of art)
This painting also done by Fattu's assistant.
Verso
- Krishna rest near river yamuna
(Present location unknown)
- Krishna hear about demon live in Talavana, numbered 60
(Philadelphia museum)
This painting done by collaborator of Fattu.
Verso
- Krishna fight with donkey at Talavana
no. 61 (Art Market)
Verso
- Godhuli, no. 63 (art Market)
- Krishna alive his friends
(Brooklyn museum)
This episode also illustrated in Mody Bhagavata.
- Krishna subdued kaliya
(Art Market)
Same episode illustrated by khusala in mody bhagavata.
- Krishna fight with kaliya
(National museum of Scotland)
This painting done by collaborator of Fattu.
- Submission of kaliya, numbered 68
(V & A Museum)
This episode also come in mody Bhagavata.
- Balarama and Krishna after defeat kaliya
No. 70 (San Diego museum of art)
This painting done by collaborator of Fattu.
Verso
- Brahmins meet nanda, no. 71
(San Diego museum of art)
This painting done by collaborator of Fattu.
Verso
- Krishna save cow and cowherds from fire (National Museum of Scotland)
Same episode painted also in mody Bhagavata.
- Enjoy Raining (Private collection)
- Krishna enjoy rainy season
(Art Market)
Following 2 Paintings done by Collaborator of fattu.
- Krishna enjoy rainy season, no. 7_
(National museum of Scotland)
- Krishna enjoy rainy reason, no. 78 ?
(National museum of Scotland)
- Venu - gita (National Museum of Scotland)
- Nanda talk about Indra's yagna ?
(Private collection)
- Krishna hold govardhan
(Yale art Gallery)
"Holding of govardhan" Painting from by khusala and godhu prevent in Zurich museum. Interesting paintings on same theme come in Manaku's gita govinda. Another copy of same version is also done.
- Indra pay homage to Krishna, no. 92
(Yale art Gallery)
Same subject is also come into mody Bhagavata.
Verso
- Krishna show heaven to People, no. 93
(Art Market)
Version of mody Bhagavata prevent in National museum, New Delhi.
- Gopis come to meet Krishna
(Art Market)
- Krishna with his favorite Gopi, no. 96
(Yale art gallery)
Verso
- Krishna vanished his favorite Gopi, no. 97 (museum of fine art, Boston)
Same subject illustrated in mody Bhagavata.
- Gopis to find out Krishna
(San Diego museum of art)
- Krishna appear before gopis, no. 102
(Yale art gallery)
Same subject also found in mody Bhagavata.
Verso
- Rasamandala, no. 103
Yale art gallery
Verso
- Krishna and gopis, numbered 104
Philadelphia museum
Verso
- Krishna lectures gopis
(W. G. Archer collection)
- Jala-krida
(national museum Scotland)
This subject is also illustrated in Mody Bhagavata.
- Salvation of Sudarshan
(Present location unknown)
The version of mody Bhagavata prevent in National museum, new Delhi.
- Krishna kill Arishta
(National museum, new Delhi)
- Kamsa send akrura to gokula
(Cleveland museum of art)
Verso
- Mysterious vision of Akrura, no. 122
(Philadelphia museum)
Mody Bhagavata version prevent into the Gopi Krishna kanoria collection, Patna.
Verso
- Krishna kill washermen
(San Diego museum of art)
In this painting shopkeeper account book contain year no. 45 which equivalent year 1769.
- Krishna dinner party, no. 129
(Philadelphia museum)
Version of mody bhagavata prevent in National museum, Delhi.
Verso
(Art Market)
Interesting this subject is also found in Manaku's Gita govinda. Mody Bhagavata version prevent in National museum, New Delhi.
- Kamsa summons wrestlers Chanura, mushtika, sala and tosal (Art Market)
- Krishna rescue son of sandipani
(Art Market)
- Sandipani get back his son
(V & A Museum)
- Krishna and uddhav, no. 146
(V & A museum)
- Uddhav visit vrindavan, numbered 150 (Philadelphia Museum)
Same subject illustrated also illustrated in Mody Bhagavata.
Verso
No. 155 (Art market)
Verso
- Akrura went toward Hastinapura.
(Art Market)
- Akrura visit court of Dhitrashtra
(Art Market)
Same "Court of Dhitrashtra" depicted in Manaku's Bhagavata.
(Philadelphia Museum)
Verso
- Balarama fight with jarasandha army
(Yale art gallery)
- Defeat of jarasandha, no. 163
(Present location unknown)
- Siege of mathura
(Museum of fine art, Houston)
- Golden Dwarka, no. 174
(present location unknown)
- Kalayavana disturbed Muchukunda
No. 176 (chester Beatty library)
- Kalayavana reduced into ashes.
No. 177 (chester Beatty library)
- Muchukunda praying Krishna, no. 178
Freer sackler gallery
Verso
- Muchukunda leave for gandhamadana, No. 179
(Cleveland Museum of art)
Verso
- Jarasandha march, no. 182
(Kapoor gallery)
Verso
- Krishna run way at mountain pravarshan, no. 185 (Art market)
Verso
- Burning of mountain pravarshan
(W. G. Archer collection)
- Bhishmaka with his son Rukmi. (Art Market)
- Krishna went to kundinpura
(Yale art gallery)
- Balarama fight with sisupala's army
(Fogg art Museum)
- Rukmi before Krishna, no. 207
(V & A collection)
Museum
- Abduction of Pradhyumna, no. 212
(Philadelphia Museum)
Verso
- Sambara throw pradhyumna in ocean,
No. 213 (Art Market)
- Sambara received fish, no. 214
(V & A museum)
- Mayavati receive baby pradhyumna
(National museum Scotland)
- Sambara fight with Pradhyumna
No. 218 (Cleveland museum of art)
Verso
- Pradhyumna and Mayavati fly away
No. 222 (Cleveland museum of art)
Verso
- Krishna ask for gem from satrajit
(Present location unknown)
- Krishna leads townspeople (Yale art gallery)
- Krishna declares his innocence
(Yale art gallery)
- Jambavan kill lion, no. 22(9?)
(Art Market)
(Art Market)
- Krishna went to cave
(Chester Beatty library)
- Krishna fight with jambavan
(W. G. Archer collection)
- Jambavan offering his daughter and gem (Harvard art museum)
(San Diego museum of art)
Verso
- Krishna chase behind satdhanva
(Art Market)
- Krishna empty handed return
(Art Market)
- Court scene from same series in same dress of Krishna and balarama preserve in foundation custadia
- Krishna return dwarka, no. 259
(Kapoor gallery)
Verso
- Akrura and kritavarma escape from dwarka, no. 261
(Cleveland museum of art)
Verso
- The palace of pandava set ablaze
(Rietberg museum)
- Krishna and Arjuna on hunting
(Art market)
- Krishna return with kalindi, no. 235
(V & A Museum)
- Parijata-harana
(Art Market)
- Krishna and rukmini
(Fogg art Museum)
- Krishna and rukmini
(Yale art gallery)
- Final battle of yadavas, no. 8
(San Diego museum of art)
Unidentified scene
National museum of Scotland
National museum of Scotland
San Diego museum of art
Verso
1. The Loves of Krishna in Indian paintings and poetry. 1957. By W. G. Archer
2. B. N. Goswamy; Caron Smith (2005). Domains of Wonder: Selected Masterworks of Indian Painting. San Diego Museum of Art.
3. B. N .goswamy (2012) Pahari Masters: Court Painters of Northern India
4. B. N. Goswamy (2018) Manaku of guler
5. Arts of Himachal by V. C. Ohri
