Kaiwan sends a message of love to Khurshid, wife of his brother Utarid who is away on a journey, from a Tuti-nama (Tales of a Parrot): Thirty-second Night
Unknown Artist
c. 1560
Medium
gum tempera, ink, and gold on paper
Dimensions
20.3 × 14 cm · painting only: 9.2 × 10 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
Indian and Southeast Asian Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mrs. A. Dean Perry
Accession Number
1962.279.209.b
About this artwork
Khurshid, seated on the bed at the left, is addressed by the messenger, who relays Kaiwan’s confession. Khurshid, who is virtuous and devout, sternly rejects his amorous advances. On the right, Kaiwan himself sits, anxiously awaiting the messenger’s return. Upon learning of Khurshid’s refusal, Kaiwan devises a plan to prevent his brother Utarid from learning of his indiscretions.