Overturning the myth of the `exotic Indian woman` formulated by Academic Realists such as Hemendranath Mazumdar and Raja Ravi Varma, Ara`s women are not objects of desire. As in the case of this painting, the women are often depicted from behind, which lends them a peculiarly impersonal quality. "The massive bodies do not ripple with muscular tension but are perfectly still, like still life objects. The forms do, however,...
Overturning the myth of the `exotic Indian woman` formulated by Academic Realists such as Hemendranath Mazumdar and Raja Ravi Varma, Ara`s women are not objects of desire. As in the case of this painting, the women are often depicted from behind, which lends them a peculiarly impersonal quality. "The massive bodies do not ripple with muscular tension but are perfectly still, like still life objects. The forms do, however, reverberate with tension caused by the play of earthy colours like brown and white. These women, in their somber colours do not arouse any sexual excitement." (p. 135, Y. Dalmia, "The Stillness of Life", The Making of Modern Indian Art, OUP, 2001)