Portrayal of Maa Sherawali in Tikuli painting by Ashok Kumar

Renowned artist Ashok Kumar represents scene derived from the stories of Lord Krishna’s early life and his interactions with the Gopis in his Tikuli painting. The scene usually depicts Lord Krishna playfully stealing the clothes of the Gopis while they are bathing in a river or a pond. Beyond the actual analysis, the scene holds deeper spiritual meanings. This particular act can be seen as the stripping away of worldly attachments and supression, reflecting the idea of submission to God and shedding material desires to attain spiritual independence. Moreover, the scene portrays the playful and intimate bond between the supreme deity and his devotees, emphasizing the concept of “Bhakti” or devotion as the backdrop is also symbolic of divine relationship between Krishna and his devotees.