Opaque watercolour painting on European paper of a Maratha performer and his drummer. The man, with an imposing moustache stands singing or reciting. He wears a long jama, tied at the waist by a sash, with two bands across his chest. On his head is a turban adorned with an aigrette; around his neck are two necklaces – one, made of black thread and metal elements, has a large pendant, perhaps an amulet or a holy image. A musician accompanies the performance: suspended by a strap from his neck are twin drums, damarum, played with sticks. He sports an elaborately tied turban and wears a lower garment with an angavastra (shawl) thrown over his shoulders. The singer has a V-shaped tilaka with a red dot at the centre, and the musician has vibhuti (cow dung ash) on forehead, neck and chest.

Painted in Tamil Nadu
ca.1830-1835

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