Art365/280: Yogini and her Dog

This is a very damaged folio but that doesn't take away from the splendour of the Yogini, a female ascetic, wandering in the wild, with only her dog for company. The Yogini is an intriguing figure and is often seen, wearing masculine outfits. Here, her torso is covered with a gorgeous shawl and she wears only a langot, a loin cloth, that men wear. She holds a walking stick in one hand and a peacock fan on a gold stick in the other. While she has given up the world of the profane, she is depicted in beautiful jewels, including bangles made of gold, elaborate earrings, and pearl necklaces. Cross-dressing indicates she is unattainable to men and seeks only her divine beloved.

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All about South Asian architecture, art history and literature.