Radha-Krishna: Eternal Love

The divine love story of Radha and Krishna in a lush forest setting.

Canvas Surface Preparation

• Base: Hand-stretched cotton canvas

• Priming mixture:

  • Chalk powder (sankha churna) for a smooth texture

  • Boiled tamarind seed gum as a natural adhesive

• The coated canvas is dried and polished with a stone or shell to create a semi-glossy, durable painting surface.

2. Natural Pigments Used

• Indigo Blue (Krishna’s skin tone): Extracted from the indigo plant

• Golden Yellow (Radha’s attire, divine ornaments): From turmeric or haritala (natural yellow mineral)

• Deep Red (Floral forest elements, Radha’s veil): Derived from hingula (cinnabar)

• Leaf Green (Forest trees and foliage): Created from crushed neem or spinach leaves

• White (Details on jewelry, Radha’s eyes): Made from finely ground conch shells

• Black (Outlines and flute): Obtained from lamp soot or burnt coconut shells

• All pigments are mixed with tamarind seed gum, used as a binder for color stability and adherence.

3. Brushes

• Handcrafted brushes made from fine animal hair (usually squirrel or mongoose)

• Mounted on bamboo sticks for precision in:

  • Facial expressions

  • Clothing details

  • Intricate floral patterns

4. Traditional Borders and Motifs

• Decorative borders feature lotus petals, creepers, and rhythmic vine designs

• Fine-line work is used to enhance the mystical forest ambiance and the sacred union of Radha and Krishna

5. Final Coating

• The painting is sealed with natural lacquer or shellac resin, giving it:

  • A soft sheen

  • Moisture protection

  • Enhanced durability over time