Venugopalan with Radha/ Rukmini - Kerala Mural Archive

This is the image of Krishna playing the flute while a woman figure, possibly Radha or Rukmini, looks on.

Textual Source: Non-narrative
Mythological Tale: Krishna as Venugopala, or the one who plays the flute, is one of the most common depictions of Sri Krishna. In most depictions, he wears a yellow dhoti and holds a flute to his lips using both his hands. In this sketch also, he is holding the flute to his lips using both his hands, and as if he is playing the flute. He wears an ornate crown with feathers on it. Krishna's music is supposed to be attractive to the nature around him as well as the gopas, gopikas and the cows that he is in charge of.
Episode: Non narrative

Primary Deity/Figure: Krishna
Secondary Figures: Radha/Rukmini
Iconographic Form: Krishna (Vishnu's incarnation)
Iconographic Attributes: Blue-skinned Krishna has two arms holding the flute and is playing it. He has a peacock feather on his forehead. He is wearing jewelry, including a floral garland, yellow lower cloth, crossed legs, sitting. Woman beside him is wearing jewelry, white saree, with golden border, black blouse, hands held together, listening to the flute.
Visual & Formal Features: Background pattern, Facial expression detail, Hand gesture (mudra), Ornamentation
Rasa: Shanta

Condition: Fair
Deterioration Type: Pigment loss
Restoration Status: Unrestored
Documentation Type: DSLR full panel
Permission Basis: Temple authorities
Date of Documentation: 08/08/2024
Artist: Neelakantan Ilayath
Identifier: ASG_P020
Rights / Notes: These images may not be reproduced, redistributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior permission.