Acrylic Dynamic Hand-Painted (Kathakkali Dancer)

How was the Kathakali Dancer painting made?

Dr. Priyanka Srivastava worked from a photograph taken at a Kathakali performance and reproduced the dancer on canvas in acrylic. It is a realistic study of the dancer rather than an abstract one, so the face, costume and headdress are painted to be read clearly, the way you would see them from the audience.

What details stand out on the dancer?

The green painted face, the tall halo-like headdress and the red and white costume are the first things you notice. They sit against a deep navy background, which makes the green and red come forward. Small touches of orange and gold pick out the ornaments, and the matte finish keeps the colours rich without glare.

What are the size and medium?

It is acrylic on canvas, sized 30 x 24. This is a large piece meant to be the main painting on a wall rather than one of a group, and it needs some clear space around it so the figure can be seen properly.

Is it sent framed?

It comes unframed, on canvas board. That way you can decide how to finish it for your wall, whether that is a simple wooden frame to suit a traditional room, a slim dark frame to echo the navy background, or leaving it as it is for a cleaner, more contemporary look.

Where would it look right at home?

Because of its size and the dark navy ground, it works best on a wide, light-coloured wall in a living room, a music or dance practice room, or a dining area. Give it a wall of its own. Warm lighting brings out the red and gold, while daylight shows the green face at its brightest.

Is it a good gift?

For someone who loves Indian classical dance, it makes a thoughtful gift. It is hand-painted by Dr. Priyanka Srivastava of the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, worked from a photograph taken at a dance show, and the subject speaks for itself on the wall, so it does not need much explaining.