Shakuntala and Sakhis

SHAKUNTALA SAKHI OR SHAKUNTALA AND HER FRIENDS:This print from the Ravi Varma Press derived from a painting by Raja Ravi Varma follows Kalidasa’s Abhijñānaśākuntalam where Kanva brings up Shakuntala in his hermitage. Shakuntala had two companions or friends (sakhis), Anusuya and Priyamvada.

Dushyanata in the course of hunting expedition arrives at Kanva’s hermitage and there in the garden he sees Shakuntala engaged in watering the plants along with her maids. Mesmerized by her beauty, he desires to marry her while she also is deeply impressed by the sight of the royal dignitary…

Title: Shakuntala Sakhi
Creator: Ravi Varma Press Malavli Lonavala, Raja Ravi Varma
Date Created: Circa 1930
Location Created: Malavli Lonavala
Physical Dimensions: 50 x 35 cms
Provenance: The Hemamalini and Ganesh Shivaswamy collection, Bengaluru