From the Land of the Rajas:

Creativity in Rajasthan

As one of the most important aspects of Rajasthani life, marriage is naturally a dominant theme of its art.  Of course, customs vary for the different Indian religions, but Hinduism is the dominant religion of Rajasthan, as well as the larger country of India.  A married state is one of life’s four phases in Hinduism, marking the assumption of full adult status, and insuring the reincarnation of ancestors.  While both an individual transition and a religious sacrament, it is also a social uniting of families with important economic exchanges.  Even today, many Indian marriages are arranged, with the partners usually coming from within the same caste grouping.  Parents strive to find mates who are compatible in religion, social standing, and wealth.

Painting:  Wedding scene (9-11413)
Rajasthan, Bhilwara style
Made by men
Paint on canvas
Collected by Renaldo Maduro, 1969–70

These paintings were intended as household decoration. This scene shows a couple being married, flanked by a woman and a wise man.